Method of treating diabetes

Abstract

Methods are provided for treating diabetes, lowering plasma level of HbA1c, glucose plasma levels, total cholesterol plasma level, and/or triglyceride plasma level while increasing HDL cholesterol levels and delaying onset of diabetic retinopathy in a diabetic, pre-diabetic, or non-diabetic mammal while minimizing undesirable side effects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating diabetes in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of ranolazine, which is N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-4-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]-1-piperazineacetamide, as a racemic mixture or an isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the patient has a HbA1c level higher than about 7.5%. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient has a HbA1c level higher than about 7.7%. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ranolazine is administered at about 750 mg bid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is not on insulin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is non-insulin dependent.