Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University have made a discovery that could help many people with Type 2 diabetes.
Their research shows that using two drugs together—dapagliflozin and exenatide—can keep blood sugar levels steady for at least two years. Even better, the effect doesn’t wear off over time.
This is great news for people whose blood sugar is hard to control with just metformin, the most common diabetes drug.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that happens when the body can’t use insulin properly or doesn’t make enough of it. Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy.
When insulin doesn’t work well, sugar builds up in the blood. Over time, this can lead to heart disease, kidney problems, nerve damage, and even vision loss. That’s why it’s so important to keep blood sugar in a healthy range.
Many people with Type 2 diabetes start with metformin, which helps lower blood sugar. But metformin doesn’t work well for everyone forever. That’s where this new treatment approach comes in.
In the study, 695 adults who couldn’t control their blood sugar with metformin alone were divided into three groups. One group added exenatide (a weekly injection) to their treatment. Another added dapagliflozin (a daily pill). The third group took both drugs along with metformin.
After two years, the people taking both dapagliflozin and exenatide had the best results. Their blood sugar stayed under control longer than in the other groups. This shows the combination works well—not just for a few months, but for years.
The reason this combo works so well is that each drug helps the body in a different way. Dapagliflozin helps the kidneys flush out extra sugar through urine.
Exenatide helps the body release more insulin after meals, slows down digestion, and makes people feel full more quickly. Together, these effects help lower blood sugar, reduce hunger, and support weight loss.
The study also found that this drug combo helped lower blood pressure. It did not cause serious side effects, which is important because people with Type 2 diabetes often have other health issues like high blood pressure or being overweight—both of which can raise the risk of heart problems.
The results were published in the journal Diabetes Care. They show that using two medications together can be a smart and effective way to treat people who need more help than metformin alone can give.
If you or someone you care about has trouble keeping blood sugar under control, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor about this new option. With the right combination of medicines, it’s possible to manage diabetes better and live a healthier, longer life.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about how to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
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