The results from a major trial examining whether the diabetes drug ertugliflozin (brand name STEGLATRO), the VERTIS-CV trial, suggest that ertugliflozin is not superior to placebo in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) but may reduce the rate of hospitalization for heart failure. Read more
Based on recent review of studies showing that the diabetes drug canagliflozin (Invokana) has many benefits for heart and kidney disease, and that the risk of amputation, while still increased with canagliflozin, is lower than previously described, the FDA has concluded that the boxed warning for increased amputation risk should be removed. It is still important […]
Researchers from Duke University have demonstrated that a type 2 diabetes treatment combining two drugs is more effective when the drugs are linked by a heat-sensitive tether, instead of simply being administered at the same time. Read more
The DAPA-HF trial provided evidence for improved mortality and morbidity benefits when using the diabetes drug dapagliflozin, in combination with normal standards of care, for patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular fraction. Read more
Bayshore becomes the sixth pharma company to issue a recall for the popular diabetes drug metformin, after the FDA found high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probably carcinogen, in tested samples. The recall is for one lot each of the 500- and 750-milligram extended-release metformin. Read more
Researchers say that the class of diabetes drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors, which includes include sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin, may be linked to a rare skin condition called bullous pemphigoid, which causes large, fluid-filled blisters due to an abnormal immune system response. Read more
Research has shown that diabetes drugs in the SGLT2 inhibitor class can have cardiovascular benefits. Now the FDA has given a Fast Track Designation to accelerate study of how one of these drugs, Farxiga (dapagliflozin) may help reduce death and heart failure after a heart attack. Read more
Heart disease is more life-threatening in older patients than younger population or middle-aged patients. Prevention strategies, including using lifestyle modification and statins, are gaining increasing importance among physicians. A study on statin use in veterans 75 years or older found that statins were associated with overall reduced risk of disease and death. Read more
Multiple studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of oral semaglutide, which is the first oral medication in the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class. The PIONEER 8 trial found reductions in A1c and body weight when oral semaglutide is paired with various insulin regimens. Read more
Captopril, an ACE inhibitor drug, seems to be associated with a higher rate of adverse pulmonary reactions in patients with diabetes than other ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). ACE inhibitors are commonly used to treat heart and kidney conditions, which are often comorbid with diabetes. A different ACE inhibitor may be a better […]
A new study examined randomized trials of glucose-lowering drugs, including SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, and assessed drug effectiveness for four categories of patients: diabetes drug-naive or those taking metformin at low or high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Read more
Drugs originally developed to treat Alzheimer’s Disease could be re-purposed to prevent, or possibly even reverse, the damage done to the blood vessels in people who have obesity or type 2 diabetes, researchers say. Both type 2 and obesity can contribute to stiffening of blood vessels, which increases risk for heart attack or stroke. Read […]
Recent research into the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug dulaglutide (Trulicity) suggest it may lower cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes, possibly in association with reduced risk of stroke associated with the drug. Read more
A new study shows that metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug, may have a previously unknown mechanism of action, involving the release of sugars in the blood from the intestines into the stool. Better understanding of how metformin works could eventually lead to development of new and improved diabetes medications. Read more
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, is urging the FDA to strengthen its warnings that SGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, due to hundreds of cases of this potentially fatal condition in people with type 1 diabetes. SGLT-2 inhibitors are not currently approved for use in type 1 diabetes in the […]
In treating type 2 diabetes, the first-line option is typically metformin. When metformin alone isn’t achieving the patient’s goals, the second and third-line options for pharmacological treatment are complex, with multiple drug classes and multiple drugs within those classes. A new analysis looks at the pros and cons of some key combinations. Read more
Imeglimin is a new, first-in-class blood-glucose-lowering drug. It is currently in phase 3 trials and has so far proven to be safe and efficient whether used alone or in combination with other drugs to lower A1C in patients with type 2 diabetes. Read more
Long term, consistent therapy is essential with metformin for it to be effective in lowering A1c and hospitalization rates. A large UK based study set out to investigate patterns that may lead some patients to discontinuation of metformin therapy. Read more
Researchers are looking at whether DPP4 inhibitors, a class of diabetes drugs, may be useful in treating COVID-19. There is some research indicating that DPP4 is directly involved in the cell adhesion and virulence of the virus causing COVID-19, which means inhibition of DPP4 may help treat this novel coronavirus. Read more
A Korean study found that among people with both colorectal cancer and diabetes, the patients who took their oral diabetes drugs as prescribed had a significantly reduced risk of overall mortality, compared with those with lower adherence to their medications. Read more