In a nutshell
This article investigated the safety and effectiveness of liquid and lyophilized (freeze-dried powder) albiglutide (Tanzeum) in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The authors concluded that the two forms of the drug were similarly effective and safe in these patients.
Some background
In T2D the body does not use insulin properly and cannot lower the high blood glucose. Currently, the first recommendation for management is with a healthy diet and exercise or in combination with metformin (Glucophage). If this does not work, other glucose-lowering drugs are added.
Albiglutide is a type of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist. It works by increasing insulin release (secretion of more insulin) from the pancreas. This helps lower blood glucose. It also slows gastric emptying (food realised from stomach after eating) which aids in weight loss. It is currently known to be effective and safe as a lyophylized form. The effectiveness and safety of albiglutide in a liquid form are still under investigation.
Methods & findings
This study involved 308 patients with uncontrolled T2D with diet and exercise, with or without metformin. They were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (154) received weekly injections of liquid albiglutide with a lyophilized placebo (non-active powder drug). Group 2 (154) received weekly injections of lyophilized albiglutide with a liquid placebo. This lasted for 26 weeks. HbA1c (blood glucose control over the past 3 months), fasting plasma glucose (FPG; blood glucose in the morning after 8 hours fasting), and side effects were the main outcomes measured.
HbA1c levels decreased at week 26 by 1.1% in Group 1 and by 1.2% in Group 2. The FPG at week 26 was lower by 2.2 mmol/L in Group 1 and by 1.9 mmol/L in Group 2. There was also a similar decrease in body weight in both groups (by 3.975kg in Group 1 and by 3.654kg in Group2).
67.3% in Group 1 and 61.7% in Group 1 reported side effects. Nausea, respiratory infections, and redness at the injection site were more commonly reported in the lyophilized form. Constipation was more common in the liquid form.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that both the liquid or lyophilized form of albiglutide were safe and effective in patients with T2D.
The fine print
This work was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of albiglutide. This study had a short duration. Longer-term studies are needed.
Published By :
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Date :
Apr 17, 2019
