A recently discovered series of diabetes drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors, lowers the sugar levels in the blood as well as helps in reducing weight. This drug works by enhancing the sugar amount expelled in the urine. The first kind in this class of drug, Dapagliflozin, is developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Also, it was tested in a clinical research trial.
Clifford Bailey, a Clinical Science professor at Aston University, Birmingham reportedly informed WebMD that this drug works in a different manner compared to normal drugs for diabetes. Taking this drug along with other treatment processes can reap additional benefits as it can be used in any phase of the disease.
Additionaly, Dapagliflozin helps the diabetes patients to lose weight as it makes the body expel excess sugar. In a recent study, which was conducted for 24 weeks, patients who took Metformin and Dapagliflozin combined lost 4 and a 1/2 pounds, when compared to those patients who took Metformin alone.
The amount of weight lost was not mere water but actual fat. Those who took Dapagliflozin had slimmer waistlines, leading to a thought that this might work well as a weight loss pill. But, Bailey noted that it’s effectiveness got diluted when the blood sugar levels were almost normal. Hence, the potential of this drug as a weight loss drug lessened when the blood sugar levels were nearly normal.
Another major benefit of Dapagliflozin is that it also lowers the blood pressure along with weight loss. The other benefits are that it is taken orally once in a day. Also, it does not lower the blood sugar levels to dangerously low levels.
The drug has itsside effects also which include higher risk of urinary and genital infections for those diabetes patients who already suffer from these conditions. Also, unobserved long term consequences can occur as the drug changes the way body expels fluids.
1 Comment
Yes, that is what they say. I still have really good hypo awareness and have had DM for 10 years, and I do have good control