Managing type 2 diabetes often involves regular insulin injections, usually taken daily. However, a new approach, insulin icodec, allows for only once-weekly injections, potentially making life easier for people with diabetes.
A study led by Dr. Ildiko Lingvay at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas explored the effectiveness and safety of this new insulin.
Dr. Lingvay and her team conducted a trial across 92 sites in 11 countries, studying people with type 2 diabetes who hadn’t used insulin before. Participants were divided into two groups.
One group received once-weekly icodec and a daily placebo, while the other received daily insulin degludec and a weekly placebo, with 294 patients in each group.
Results Unveiled
The study revealed that insulin icodec was not only as effective as daily insulin but even superior in reducing HbA1c levels, a long-term measure of blood sugar control, over 26 weeks.
The average HbA1c level went down from 8.6% to 7.0% in the icodec group, compared to 8.5% to 7.2% in the daily insulin group.
However, there weren’t significant differences in other aspects like changes in fasting blood sugar levels, average weekly insulin doses in the last two weeks of treatment, or changes in body weight.
Yet, the group using icodec experienced slightly higher rates of hypoglycemia, particularly from week 0 to 26.
This suggests that while icodec offers convenience and better blood sugar control, there’s a minor increase in the risk of low blood sugar levels.
While the once-weekly injection could offer a small added benefit in managing blood sugar levels and more convenience, the risk of low blood sugar levels should also be considered when choosing this treatment.
Dr. Lingvay and her team emphasize the need to weigh the benefits of convenience and blood sugar control against the risks, particularly hypoglycemia, when considering insulin icodec as a treatment option in clinical practice.
It’s also important to note that several authors of the study have disclosed connections to pharmaceutical companies, including Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of insulin icodec, who also funded the study.
This connection doesn’t invalidate the results but is essential to be aware of when considering the implications of the study.
Insulin icodec opens a new chapter in diabetes management with its once-weekly administration, offering a more convenient option for people with type 2 diabetes.
The study shows promising results in blood sugar control, albeit with a slight increase in the risk of hypoglycemia.
It’s a step forward in diabetes care, potentially improving the quality of life for many, but the choice of treatment should always involve careful consideration of both the advantages and the potential risks involved.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA.
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