In a nutshell
The main objectives of this study was to determine the long term effect and safety of lixisenatide (Lyxumia) as an add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes. The authors concluded that lixisenatide provided long-term blood sugar control, reduced weight and was a safe method of treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Some background
Lixisenatide is a treatment in type 2 diabetes. It is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist. These therapies works by increasing insulin secretion. This improves blood sugar control without increasing body weight.
Lixisenatide is often used as an add-on treatment to standard treatments such as metformin (Glucophage) or basal insulin. Add-on treatments are often necessary in patients who do not have adequate control over their blood sugar levels. Lixisenatide has been shown to be effective in short-term studies. Studies that examine the safety and effectiveness in the long-term are needed.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of lixisenatide as an add-on treatment in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
3,000 patients were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of five groups. Two groups were treated with metformin and lixisenatide in varying doses. One group (Group S) was treated with a sulphonylurea (another type of glucose-lowering medication) along with metformin and lixisenatide. One group (Group L) was treated with insulin along with metformin and lixisenatide. The final group (Group P) was treated with pioglitazone (Actos), metformin, and lixisenatide. Five extra groups were treated with a placebo (substance with no effect on the body) instead of lixisenatide. Patients were followed for an average of 76 weeks.
Overall, lixisenatide led to an average HbA1c (average blood glucose over 3 months) decrease of 0.41%. This was a significantly larger decrease than in the placebo groups. Group P saw the largest reduction in HbA1c (0.49%). Group L saw the lowest reduction (0.29%). Fasting plasma glucose (glucose levels after a period without food or drink) levels were also significantly lower in patients treated with lixisenatide. These patients also experienced a significant reduction in weight.
The risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood glucose) was slightly higher in patients treated with lixisenatide. The most common side effects to treatment were nausea and vomiting.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that lixisenatide provided long-term blood sugar control, reduced weight and was a safe method of treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Oct 20, 2016
