The Latest Breakthroughs in Diabetes Research: What You Need to Know
Did you know about the latest breakthrough in diabetes management? There are new drugs, to improve your diabetes management and decrease your diabetes-related complications. But it’s not for everyone. Learn the latest breakthrough in diabetes management in this article.
What is the latest breakthrough in diabetes management?
Many important recent breakthroughs have happened in diabetes management which can ease your diabetes management journey. It includes:
New drugs:
Two newer diabetes medication classes have been made: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 receptor agonists) and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 inhibitors).
These two classes of drugs not only manage blood sugar levels but also protect your main organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver, and help in losing weight as well. This ability makes these drugs different from GLP 1 and SGLT-2 drugs from metformin, which only make people weight neutral, not promote weight loss.
In GLP-1 receptor agonists, several different medications come in this drug class which include:
∙Dulaglutide
∙Liraglutide
∙Semaglutide
∙Extended release exenatide
∙Exenatide
∙Tirzepatide
∙Lixisenatide
Besides semaglutide, all others are given in injection form, and semaglutide is given in oral form. GLP-1 affects your blood glucose levels by:
∙Decrease the glucagon release
∙Increase insulin production
∙Decrease the rate at which food leaves the stomach.
∙Increase a sense of fullness so that you feel satisfied even with less food.
Most people with this medicine experience better blood sugar control with weight loss, which is a welcome benefit for people who are overweight or obese. However, some people also experience some side effects as well, which include vomiting or diarrhea.
These symptoms may go away with time when the body adjusts with medication. But you need to think of its pros and cons before trying this medication, so discuss all options with your healthcare provider. In SGLT-2 inhibitors, 4 type of drug is approved for use in people with type 2 diabetes in the United States:
∙Dapagliflozin
∙Canagliflozin
∙Empagliflozin
∙Ertugliflozin
These medications work on the kidneys by increasing your urine to eliminate blood sugar through urination. At the same time, it also reduces your blood pressure and promotes weight loss. Sometimes, it is recommended for people who have type 2 diabetes with high A1C levels. Additionally, if you have a risk of developing chronic kidney disease, then this medication can slow the progression of the disease.
Your doctor first examines your glomerular filtration rate; which means measuring your kidney activity, for prescribing an SGLT-2 Drug. SLGT-2 inhibitors studies show a decrease in kidney disease by 45% and a risk of hospitalization by heart failure up to 31%. However, it also has some potential side effects such as genital yeast infections, urinary tract infections, constipation, and flu-like symptoms.
When combined with insulin or medications that increase insulin production, it may cause hypoglycemia. While it may prevent progression to end-stage kidney disease, it is not suitable for everyone with advanced CKD (chronic kidney disease). While these medications are not for everyone it is very effective for people who use these medications to manage diabetes.
Are you a candidate for the new treatment?
You may be a candidate for the new treatment if your body doesn’t respond to metformin or shows less response to it. In that case, newer medication is necessary. It may be given with metformin to make it a combination therapy. It can be given to anyone with type 2 diabetes who gets better management of blood glucose levels with metformin. Additionally, it also reduces diabetes-related complications such as heart disease or CKD. Understand that the main goal of treatment is to manage your blood sugar levels within the target range to prevent or delay diabetes-related complications in the future.
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