For patients with diabetes, maintaining lower blood glucose levels is important to reduce the risk of complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, eye problems and an increased risk of heart disease.
In a recent study led by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, scientists found that a drug combination can help effectively control blood sugar levels.
The finding may help diabetic patients prevent long-term complications of type 2 diabetes.
The study is published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. One author is Vanita R. Aroda, MD, a specialist in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension.
The team tested more than 1000 diabetic patients who took stable doses of oral antidiabetic drugs.
They either took insulin drug IGlar or insulin plus liraglutide (IDegLira), a combination of both insulin and additional medication to help with blood sugar control.
After 2 years, the researchers found that patients who received IDegLira could achieve blood glucose goals better and could remain at that goal longer compared to other patients.
In addition, these patients had less weight gain and less risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.
The results suggest that the drug IDegLira had a more durable effect compared with the insulin drug alone.
The team says that concerns about weight gain, low blood sugar, and fear of injectables may prevent patients from achieving better blood sugar control.
Although both IDegLira and the IGlar were given as daily injections, IDegLira showed improved health outcomes without the need for a separate, additional injection.
The team says the new drug combo treatment also could reduce the side effects often associated with insulin-only therapy.
They hopes the new finding can benefit diabetic patients and help them manage blood sugar better.
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