A team of Greek researchers did a comparative study of glucose-lowering drugs to treat type 2 diabetes and managed cardiovascular effects simultaneously. Their results suggest that diabetic patients with low cardiovascular risk preferred metformin-based treatment.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is not producing sufficient levels of insulin, the hormone which carries glucose to cells. Proper glucose levels are what gives the body energy. Insulin is produced in the pancreas, which the body becomes resistant to with type 2 diabetes.
As a result, pancreas cells become damaged, becoming unable to produce insulin. Lack of insulin causes too much glucose to remain in the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar. Dr. Michael Greger explains insulin as 'the key that unlocks the doors to your cells to allow glucose to enter.'
Meformin
Metformin is an oral drug to control high blood sugar levels and is usually complemented with proper diet and exercise. By maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar will prevent further damage to the kidney, the nervous system, and the risk of blindness. Moreover, the risk of getting a stroke or a heart attack is decreased.
However, since metformin has been used to treat diabetes for several years already, patients have suffered from various side effects including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and other stomach symptoms. Compared to other antidiabetic medication, it seems to have the least side effects such as little strain on the organs and not causing weight gain.
Numerous studies and treatments have shown that antidiabetic drugs have varying glycemic efficacy, as well as the effect on the vascular system and even mortality. As a result, medical experts have to develop medicine that focuses more than just controlling blood sugar levels. Other factors such as a history of cardiovascular disease, chronic renal disease, and atherosclerotic disease, or disease in the arteries, must also be considered.
Cardiovascular Effects
A team from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece reviewed 453 trials including 21 antidiabetic interventions from 9 various drug classes. They compared the benefits and harmful side effects of glucose-lowering drugs in adults with type 2 diabetes. The team considered input from the patients regarding medication, managing their sickness, and the impact of the illness in their day to day lives.
Monotherapies was compared to additional metformin-based therapies. While monotherapies for diabetes focus on a single form of medication, combination therapy includes adding repaglinide to metformin as well as proper diet and exercise. Repaglinide also helps regulate glucose levels, but a side effect could be hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
Their study concluded that diabetic patients with low cardiovascular risk did not show different results with insulin regimens and adding metformin-based therapy. For those with high cardiovascular risk, metformin 'had a favorable effect on certain cardiovascular outcomes.'
The conclusions of the new study agree with the need for drug developers to consider the cardiovascular effects of antidiabetic medications. Since type 2 diabetes can cause other health complications, the National Institutes of Health continue their research for better clinical trials in the future for unique type 2 diabetes cases.
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