Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University have made an exciting discovery that could improve the lives of many people with Type 2 diabetes. Their research shows that using two drugs together—dapagliflozin and exenatide—can keep blood sugar levels under control for at least two years without losing effectiveness.
This is big news, especially for those who struggle to manage their diabetes with metformin, the most commonly prescribed medication for this condition.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that happens when the body has trouble using insulin properly or doesn’t make enough of it. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells.
Without enough insulin, sugar stays in the bloodstream and can lead to serious problems over time, including heart disease, kidney damage, nerve pain, and vision loss. Keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range is key to preventing these complications.
Usually, people with Type 2 diabetes start treatment with metformin, which helps lower blood sugar. But for many, metformin alone stops working as well over time, and other medications are needed. That’s where this new study comes in.
In the study, 695 adults who had not been able to control their blood sugar with metformin alone were split into three groups. One group took exenatide (a weekly injection) with metformin, another group took dapagliflozin (a daily pill) with metformin, and the third group took both exenatide and dapagliflozin in addition to metformin.
After two years, the group that took the combination of both drugs had the best blood sugar control. What’s more, the positive results lasted the entire length of the study, showing that this approach works well over the long term—not just for a few months.
Each drug works in a different way, which may be why they are so effective together.
Dapagliflozin helps the kidneys remove extra sugar through urine, while exenatide helps the body make more insulin when you eat, slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, and makes you feel full faster. Together, these effects help keep blood sugar steady, reduce appetite, and support weight loss.
The study also found that this combination treatment helped lower blood pressure and did not cause serious side effects, making it a safe option for most people. This is important, because people with Type 2 diabetes often also have high blood pressure and weight challenges, which increase the risk of heart disease.
These findings, published in the journal Diabetes Care, offer a new way forward for those whose diabetes isn’t well managed with metformin alone. By combining two powerful medications, doctors can now offer a treatment that not only works better but also keeps working for years without losing its effect.
This research brings new hope to people living with diabetes, showing that with the right combination of medications, it’s possible to manage the condition more effectively, improve overall health, and enjoy a better quality of life.
If you or someone you know is struggling to keep blood sugar levels under control with current medications, it may be worth talking to a doctor about this new treatment option.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
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