Type 2 diabetes is a very common health problem where the body cannot use insulin properly. This causes sugar to build up in the blood instead of being used for energy. Usually, the first medicine doctors give for this condition is metformin. Metformin helps lower blood sugar and works well for many people.
However, over time, some people find that metformin doesn’t work as well as it used to, and they need extra help to manage their diabetes.
Now, there is good news for those struggling with this problem. Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University have found that using two diabetes medicines together can make a big difference. These two drugs are dapagliflozin and exenatide.
When used together, they not only control blood sugar better than using just one extra drug but also keep working well over a long period of time.
The researchers tested this idea in a large study with 695 adults who had Type 2 diabetes. All of these people were already taking metformin, but it was not enough to keep their blood sugar at healthy levels. To see what worked best, the scientists divided the participants into three groups.
One group received weekly injections of exenatide along with their usual metformin. Another group took daily dapagliflozin pills with their metformin. The third group received both new medicines together along with metformin.
The results of the study were very exciting. People who took both dapagliflozin and exenatide together had better blood sugar control than those who only added one extra medicine. Even better, the benefits lasted throughout the two-year study.
This is important because keeping blood sugar under control over time can prevent serious complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve problems.
The two medicines work in different ways, which is why they make such a good team. Dapagliflozin helps the kidneys get rid of extra sugar by passing it out in the urine.
Exenatide works by helping the body release more insulin when eating, slowing down how quickly food leaves the stomach, reducing sugar production in the liver, and making people feel full longer so they eat less. Because they work differently, the combination covers more problems at once.
Another big plus is that the combination also helped people lose weight and lower their blood pressure, both of which are important for managing diabetes and staying healthy. During the study, no unexpected safety problems were found, showing that this treatment is not only effective but also safe.
The findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care. Dr. Serge Jabbour, who led the research, pointed out that this combination could be a very important new option for people whose diabetes is not well controlled with metformin alone. It gives hope to those looking for better ways to manage their condition, stay healthier, and reduce their risk of complications.
This discovery shows that a thoughtful combination of medicines can make a big difference in treating complex cases of Type 2 diabetes. It offers a new path for people who have struggled to find an effective, lasting solution to keep their blood sugar under control safely and successfully.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
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