A Randomised, db, Placebo-controlled Study of BI 1356 for 18 Weeks Followed by a 34 Week Double-blind Extension Period (Placebo Patients Switched to Glimepiride) in Type 2 Diabetic Patients for Whom Treatment With Metformin is Inappropriate

Inclusion criteria Patients between 18 and 80 years old with type 2 diabetes and insufficient glycemic control (HbA1c 7% to 10%) for whom metformin therapy is inappropriate (intolerability or contraindication) Exclusion criteria Myocardial infarction, stroke or Transient ischaemic attack in last 6 months Treatment with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone, GLP-1 analogues, insulin or anti-obesity drugs in past 3 months Impaired hepatic function Severe renal impairment current treatment with systemic steroids change in dosage of thyroid hormones hereditary galactose intolerance