Managing type 2 diabetes is often challenging, but a new major study has given doctors and patients important information on which medicines work best.
The study, led by Dr. Henry Burch and The GRADE Study Research Group, looked at how four different drugs performed when added to metformin, the most common first medicine used for type 2 diabetes.
The study involved 5,047 adults who were already taking metformin. They were randomly placed into one of four groups. Each group took one extra drug: sitagliptin, liraglutide, glimepiride, or insulin glargine U-100.
The researchers followed the participants for about four years to see how well their blood sugar stayed in the healthy range.
The results showed that people who took either liraglutide or insulin glargine with metformin were able to keep their blood sugar levels in the target range the longest. These two medicines worked better than glimepiride and much better than sitagliptin, which was the least effective of the four.
One of the great strengths of this study is that it included a very diverse group of people—different ages, races, and backgrounds. The results were mostly the same across all these groups, which means that the findings can help many people with type 2 diabetes.
However, the study also showed how difficult it is to manage type 2 diabetes over time. Even with the best-performing drugs, nearly 75% of people could not keep their blood sugar under control for the full four years. This shows that better treatments are still needed to help people manage their diabetes in the long term.
The researchers also looked at heart health. They found that people who took liraglutide had a lower chance of having heart problems like heart attacks or strokes. This means liraglutide might do more than just help control blood sugar—it might also protect the heart.
This study is important because it gives doctors clear evidence about which medications are most helpful when metformin alone is not enough. It shows that liraglutide and insulin glargine are the best choices for keeping blood sugar levels stable over time, and that liraglutide may also be good for heart health.
For people living with type 2 diabetes, the key message is to work closely with your doctor to find the best medication combination. Blood sugar levels should be checked regularly, and treatment plans may need to change over time.
In summary, if metformin alone isn’t enough to control blood sugar, adding liraglutide or insulin glargine seems to be the best next step.
These medicines can help keep diabetes under control longer and may even lower the risk of heart disease. While the fight against diabetes continues, this study is a helpful step toward better treatment and better health for millions of people.
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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