in, either alone or in combination with another antidiabetic agent. All other antidiabetic agents were withdrawn at least three weeks prior to starting study treatment. In the first trial, 000 patients were randomized to receive either 00 mg of pioglitazone hydrochloride or placebo once daily for 00 weeks in addition to their current metformin regimen. Treatment with pioglitazone hydrochloride as add-on to 