Older Diabetes Drugs Rival Newer, More Advanced Ones: New Study
Some of the oldest oral medications for type-2 diabetes perform better than newer, more expensive varieties, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine report that according to their research, the drug metformin (sold as Glucophage, Riomet and Fortamet) was a consistent top-performer, controlling blood sugar effectively and posing no additional danger of weight gain, high cholesterol, or heart disease among patients. Those dangers are often associated with the "second generation" diabetes drugs.
Better management of diabetes, the researchers say, can also ward off life-threatening diabetic complications, and reliable medications are an essential part of better management. They note that metformin is more readily available to many patients as well, because it's available in generic form, and much cheaper than newer drugs (annual treatment costs an average of $100). Even the best drugs have their occasional drawbacks, however -- metformin causes digestive problems and diarrhea in some patients, and not all diabetics are able to tolerate it. The comparative study was underwritten by the federal Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Previously on the D.C. Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:- FDA black box warnings on Avandia and Actos
- Diabetes and men's health
- Federal diabetes spending
- Diabetes increases heart disease risk