As the health care community continues to brace for an onslaught of new diabetes cases, more and more scientific research is being geared toward preventing or reducing the effects of this dangerous disease.
Several areas of recent research and development have produced promising new drug alternatives and enhancements that have enormous potential for people with diabetes. In some cases, the breakthrough enables current diabetes medications to work more effectively and in others, research shows promise for a novel approach to treating the disease.
2-in-1 drug combo hits the market
Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration gave approval to a new two-in-one pill that combines two commonly prescribed drugs used to treat Type 2 Diabetes, metformin and Onglyza. The new pill was developed together by the two different pharmaceutical companies who produce the drugs, Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. Metformin helps control how much glucose is in your blood by limiting how much your body both absorbs and produces. It also helps your body use insulin more productively. Onglyza is known as a DPP-4 inhibitor, which influences the liver to produce less glucose and the pancreas to create more insulin. If your doctor has prescribed both types of drugs, taking the two-in-one pill may be more convenient and could help make sure you get a full dose of the appropriate medications each day.
Dopamine agonists can help diabetes through central nervous system
Another new drug on the market is the first that can help you manage your diabetes through a centrally acting agent. The drug, Clycoset, acts by helping your nerves communicate better. The core ingredient, bromocriptine, has been used for many years to treat Parkinson’s Disease. Although the exact way in which Clycoset helps with diabetes is unclear, clinical trials have shown significant impact in lowering HbA1c levels compared to placebo. Researchers believe that by taking the drug at certain times of day, typically the morning, it can serve to somehow reset the metabolism and reduce problems related to diabetes.
SLGT-2 Inhibitors work through the kidneys
By design, the human body seeks to always provide an ongoing source of fuel. As a result, one of the main jobs of the kidneys is to make sure that fuel in the form of glucose does not get excreted in the urine. For people without diabetes, this is generally a good thing. But if you have diabetes, it’s quite counterproductive.
A new type of drug in development targets specific proteins in the kidneys responsible for about 90% of the glucose absorption by blocking their actions. If you have diabetes, the drug could help reduce blood glucose levels by allowing glucose to be excreted rather than absorbed. Early trials show limited side effects, which could include frequent urination and a greater risk of urinary tract infections, largely due to the increased sugar content in the urine. Another side effect of the drug could be a good thing for many diabetics: weight loss. Research is still yet to be completed on the larger Phase III studies, so it could still be a few years before the new treatment is approved.
Glucose responsive insulin in development
Another breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes comes in the form of technology and how new drugs are formulated. Exciting new research combines insulin with a special polymer that will only allow the insulin to be released if certain blood glucose levels are met. This new development makes it possible to essentially auto-regulate the release of insulin chemically. As a diabetic, this can not only help you maintain a more consistent blood sugar level over longer periods of time, which is optimum for your overall health, but can also reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) due to imbalances in diet, exercise or medication. The promising development has caught the eye of pharmaceutical company Merk, which recently agreed to purchase SmartCells, the company developing the new drug technology.
Future holds hope of better diabetes management
As more research continues to push the limits of current diabetes therapies, additional cutting edge treatments are continually becoming available. But not all options are right for every diabetic. To understand what’s right for your personal situation, be sure to discuss all your treatment options with your doctor. And above all, don’t forget about the most important diabetes treatment, which can prevent or reduce the need for many drug therapies: Proper diet and exercise.
SUPPORTER