In a nutshell
This study compared the effectiveness and safety of treatment with IDegLira, to treatment with either insulin degludec or liraglutide in type 2 diabetes.
Some background
Metformin (Glucophage) is typically the first treatment for type 2 diabetes. Commonly, additional drugs are eventually required. Typically, the first drugs to be added to metformin treatment are drugs such as liraglutide (Victoza), or insulin degludec (Ryzodeg, Xultophy, Tresiba).
The main aim of treatment is to reduce blood glucose levels. This can be monitored by measuring HbA1c (a measurement of average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months). Unfortunately glucose-lowering treatments can produce unwanted side effects, such as hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and weight gain.
IDegLira is a new drug which combines insulin degludec with liraglutide. In comparison to treatment with insulin degludec or liraglutide alone, it has shown greater reductions in HbA1c.
Methods & findings
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of IDegLira treatment, to treatment with insulin degludec or liraglutide alone. The results from 2 clinical trials were analyzed.
In both trials, patients being treated with IDegLira had an HbA1c reduction of 1.9%. This reduction in HbA1c was significantly greater than the reduction of HbA1c observed in insulin degludec (1.4%) or liraglutide (1.3%) patients in both trials.
In trial 1, IDegLira patients lost an average of 0.5 kg body weight, in comparison to a weight gain of 1.7 kg by insulin degludec patients and a weight loss of 3.0 kg by liraglutide patients. In trial 2, IDegLira patients lost an average of 2.7 kg body weight, while insulin degludec patients experienced no change.
The occurrence of hypoglycemia was 32% lower for IDegLira patients than insulin degludec patients in trial 1. However no difference was found in trial 2.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that IDegLira is an effective and safe drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The fine print
This drug has not been fully tested. Results need to be confirmed by further tests.
This drug has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This research was funded in part by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturers of IDegLira.
What’s next?
Consult your doctor if you feel you need additional treatment to metformin to control your blood glucose levels.
Published By :
Advances in therapy
Date :
May 12, 2015
