Is Oral Insulin on the Way?

Posted at 25th February 2013 by Ryan Luce

written by Michael O’Leary

Two companies announced clinical trials in the last three weeks aimed at bringing insulin taken by mouth to market.

Generex Biotechnology Corporation announced at the end of January results of a phase III clinical trial showing that its oral insulin spray Oral-lyn™ is as effective as subcutaneously injected regular insulin. The 12-week study conducted by an Indian licensee of Generex involved 209 men and women with type 2 diabetes at 14 clinics in India who did not have well controlled blood sugar levels with oral diabetic drugs.

More Evidence for Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes?

Posted at 31st December 2012 by Ryan Luce

Written by Michael O'Leary

Edward Gregg, Ph.D.

Intensive lifestyle changes including diet and exercise were significantly more effective than standard counseling and medications for reversing type 2 diabetes, an ongoing federal study shows. But the success rate may add fuel to the debate for those advocating surgery as a more effective method of reversing the disease.

Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), theLook AHEAD: Action for Health in Diabetes study began in 2001 and continues today, but is no longer recruiting participants.

Is Victoza Better Than Bydureon?

Posted at 2nd December 2012 by Ryan Luce

written by Michael O’Leary

In a head-to-head comparison of the daily type 2 diabetes drug Victoza and weekly injections of Bydureon, those taking the daily drug did significantly better in lowering their HbA1c than those taking the weekly injections.

The down side was that those taking the higher than normal dose of Victoza had more side effects.

Good News For Potential Approval of Tresiba – A New Long-Acting Insulin

Posted at 25th November 2012 by Ryan Luce

written by Michael O’Leary

Last week an FDA advisory panel recommended degludec, a once-daily injectable insulin, be approved by the FDA, but will require Novo Nordisk to conduct additional trials to assess the heart risk that may be posed by the drug.

As reported by Fierce Biotech, Reuters and others the outside panel of non-FDA medical experts recommended approval by an 8-4 vote, but unanimously voted to require additional studies to assess the heart risk.
(published site)

Does losing weight help prevent heart attacks for people with type 2 diabetes?

Posted at 23rd October 2012 by Ryan Luce

written by Michael O’Leary

People with type 2 diabetes who maintained a weight-loss of 5 percent of their starting weight over four years saw improvements in blood sugar control, sleep apnea, mobility and HDL cholesterol.

Despite those benefits, however, researchers were surprised to find no difference in the rates of heart attacks, chest pain and death from cardiovascular causes between the exercise group and the comparison group of type 2 diabetes patients who did not lose weight.
(published site)

Does Qsymia Help Lower HbA1c? New Results From CONQUER Study

Posted at 16th October 2012 

written by Michael O’Leary

People with type 2 diabetes who participated in a study using a newly FDA-approved weight-loss drug reduced their blood sugar by an average of 0.4 percent compared to those in the trial who were taking a placebo.
(published site)

Is Weight Loss Surgery the Best Option to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Posted at 30th August 2012 by Ryan Luce

written by Michael O’Leary

In a study that could lead to changes in doctors’ recommendations about weight-loss surgery for people at risk for type 2 diabetes, researchers have shown that the procedure may be twice as effective in preventing the disease as lifestyle changes.

(published site)