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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / December 2006Diabetes drug's benefits come at a price
A newer drug appeared to delay the progression of the most common form of diabetes a little longer than two older medications but with greater weight gain and more fractures, a large study has found. The results, along with the higher cost of the new drug, suggest that metformin, sold as Glucophage and other brands, should remain the first choice for most newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes, several specialists said. Avandia, by GlaxoSmithKline PLC, did a better job of controlling blood-sugar problems than the two older drugs, according to the study of 4,360 newly diagnosed patients. After five years, only 15 percent of those taking Avandia, or rosiglitazone, had to add a second drug to treat their disease compared with 21 percent of those taking metformin and 34 percent taking glyburide, sold as Micronase, Diabeta and other names, the study found. Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061204/ap_on_he_me/diabetes_drugs http://tinyurl.com/y3drsg NEJM article here: Glycemic Durability of Rosiglitazone, Metformin, or Glyburide Monotherapy http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/NEJMoa066224 C > NEJM article here: > > Glycemic Durability of Rosiglitazone, Metformin, or Glyburide > Monotherapy > http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/NEJMoa066224 Here's the full NEJM article: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMoa066224v1.pdf > C > A newer drug appeared to delay the progression of the most > common form of diabetes a little longer than two older [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > C My doctor added Avandia to my Metformin a few months ago and I am gaining weight and bloating horribly. Going to tell him I don't want to take it anymore. >> A newer drug appeared to delay the progression of the most >> common form of diabetes a little longer than two older [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >> >> Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061204/ap_on_he_me/diabetes_drugs >> http://tinyurl.com/y3drsg >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > gaining weight and bloating horribly. Going to tell him I don't > want to take it anymore. It's too bad it causes weight gain in some. Almost every graph in the article shows Avandia ahead until you get to the weight gain and edema. Maybe they should combine it with the new drug Acomplia (weight loss) instead of another diabetic med. C I do not take Avandia. But I was curious to see if it was really better than Metformin. At least the study cited and based on one of the Author of the study Metformin still seems to be the winning derby. You should be talking to your doctor for your specific situation. I am just capturing what caught my attention. Ref: http://tinyurl.com/ya8a2p <\Begin quote> In an addendum to their report, the ADOPT investigators noted that patients in the Avandia group had significantly more fractures than patients in the other two groups; they described the finding as an unexpected event that was discovered in a subsequent analysis, and was not included in the original pre-specified analysis. Dr. Nathan, however, said that the weight of evidence falls in favor or Glucophage (Metformin). "The hope that thiazolidinediones may affect the underlying pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes by protecting ?-cell function and may alter the course of the disease is only weakly supported by ADOPT," he wrote. "Given the modest glycemic benefit of rosiglitazone (with the risk of fluid retention and weight gain) and higher cost (including the need for more statins and diuretics), metformin remains the logical choice when initiating pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes." Four of the co-authors are employees of GlaxoSmithKline, and most of the others have received honoraria, research support, lecture fees and other compensation from the company, as well as other diabetes drug make. Dr. Nathan has also received financial support from GlaxoSnithKline for an educational program. <\End Quote> On the side note, if you go to the article I sighted in this note, you will see right at front a note to the Doctor which reads as follows: <\Begin quote> Action Points * Explain to patients who ask that this study found that the oral antidiabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) was better than either Glucophage (metformin) or Diabeta (glyburide) at delaying time to failure of monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. * Explain that Avandia is more expensive than either Glucophage or Diabeta, and that Avandia is associated with higher risk for weight gain, fluid retention, and congestive heart failure than the other drugs. <\End Quote> Makes you wonder on what basis are they saying Avandia is a better drug when the accompanying article clearly refutes that very claim! Hmmm Anil T2DM 2x500Mg Metformin A1c 5.8 Walking 100 miles/month Diet: Plant based whole foods |
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