The use of medicaments containing a compound of general formula (I) as an active ingredient in which; ·R1 represents the stereoisomer forms of the chain (II): -(CHOH)3-CH2OH and either ·R2 represents a hydrogen atom and R3 represents the stereoisomer forms of the chain (III): -CH2-(CHOH) 2-CH2OH or ·R2 represents the stereoisomer forms of chains (II): -(CHOH) 3-CH2OH or (III): -CH2-(CHOH) 2-CH2OH and ·R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a salt of such a compound with an organic or inorganic acid for the treatment and prevention of diabetes and associated complications.