[acb-diabetics] analysis made of best 3 meds for diabetics

[Patricia LaFrance-Wolf]

Researchers in Taipei, Taiwan, report that they have identified the top
three drugs for reducing A1C
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/a1c-test/>  levels in type
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/type-2-issues/>  2 diabetes
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/> : biphasic insulin
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/medications/insulin/> , GLP-1 analogs,
and basal insulin. They hedged a little on their endorsement of GLP-1
analogs, however, by saying that although they are not decisively better at
controlling A1Cs than other oral diabetes drugs, they have the advantage of
helping to reduce weight without adding to the danger of hypoglycemia
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/low-blood-sugar
/> .

Biphasic insulin is a combination of intermediate- and fast-acting insulin.
Basal insulin is the standard dose a person with diabetes takes daily, often
supplement <http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/food/supplements/> ed by
shorter-term bolus insulin to cover blood sugar
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/blood-sugar/>  spikes at
meals. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) analogs, which include exenatide and
liraglutide, are derived from a gut hormone that helps increase insulin
production and sensitivity and reduce glucagon production in the pancreas. A
beneficial side effect is weight reduction.
The scientists at the Mackay Memorial Hospital, Division of Endocrinology
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/health-care/endocrinology/>  and
Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, reached their
conclusion after conducting a meta-analysis of drugs used to treat type 2
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/type-2-issues/>  diabetes
that was inadequately controlled by metformin
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/medications/metformin/> . The analysis
eventually studied 819 articles on diabetes drugs, including coverage of 39
controlled trials that involved almost 18,000 patients.

Overall, GLP-1 analogs were found to lead to a greater decrease in A1C
levels than sulfonylureas, glinides, thiazolidinediones, alpha-glucosidase
inhibitors, and DPP-4 inhibitors, producing results similar to those of
basal and biphasic insulin.

According to the Taiwanese researchers, the meta-analysis also showed that
compared with placebo, sulfonylureas, glinides, basal insulin, and biphasic
insulin carried an increased risk of hypoglycemia.

While the study conclusions are interesting, the researchers cautioned that
of the studies they reviewed, the longest was only 52 weeks-not long enough
to establish a definitive long-term trend.

  _____  

Categories:A1C
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/complications-and-care/a1c/> , A1C
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/monitoring/a1c-levels/>  Levels,
<http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse/community/diabetes/> 

 

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