Last Updated on May 4, 2024
A research group has released the results from a study that compared five different once-a-week diabetes injections. The weekly injections are one of the newest types of treatments for diabetics. There is little information on their effectiveness, as they gain more popularity in the medical field more research will be conducted.
Leicester General Hospital in Leicester, United Kingdom has studied a comparison between five of the once-weekly diabetes injection. The research group released the data from the study in early December. The study looked at data from 34 random trails of the glucagon-like peptite-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). These GLP-1 RAs include albiglutide, taspoglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide. Only three of the tested medications are currently are on the market; the other two are still in testing phases.
The results from the study are encouraging for people with diabetes. The study looked at data from over 21,000 participants all of whom were taking one of the five Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
Many people with diabetes hoped that this study would show which once-a-week injection is the best option. The results from comparing the once-a-week drug showed interesting results for diabetics. All five of the weekly injections had positive results in maintaining glucose levels as well as reducing HbA1c levels. Each drug has similar effects on blood pressure, blood lipids, and protein. All of the GLP-1 RAs helped the users lose weight and improve cardiovascular risk.
The results from each GLP-1 RA were all similar, but they weren’t identical, some were more effective than others. Dulaglutide, exenatide, and taspoglutide showed greater results in reducing HbA1c, weight loss, and fasting glucose compared to the others. Each medication had minor side effects, one of the most frequent was nausea. Some participants also experienced hypoglycemic episodes while taking these medications, but none of the medications showed a greater risk than its competitors.
These drugs work differently than most other diabetes medications. GLP-1RAs are an antihyperglycaemic agent that has an anti-inflammatory property on the liver that in turn increases insulin sensitivity. A higher insulin sensitivity allows the body to efficiently use the insulin that the pancreas is producing.
Currently, there are several once-a-week injectable medications for diabetics on the market. Trulicity is one of the most popular once-a-week drugs to enter this new type of treatment. Trulicity is classified as a Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Trulicity boasts an easy to use pen loaded with medication that works 24/7. Trulicity pens are available in two separate dosages, 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg. Your doctor can prescribe one of the dosages depending on your situation. Trulicity is simple to use; the Trulicity website said it is activated with a “click of a button”.
The once-a-week medications are designed to be used by people with type 2 diabetes that are not able to lower glucose levels by lifestyle changes and metformin. These medications have been shown to have few side effects and have been recommended as an excellent option for controlling diabetes. The concept of a once-weekly injection helps to make life as a diabetic easier and more convenient. Instead of having to remember daily injections, people with diabetes will only need to use their needles once a week, drastically cutting down the number of injections.
While these GLP-1 RA aren’t intended to be used for everyone, if you’re having problems managing your diabetes on metformin alone, ask your doctor about prescribing one of these drugs. New drugs like the GLP-RA emerging into the treatment marketplace provide a positive outlook for diabetics. These treatments offer another option for diabetics to maintain their diabetes safely.
As more researchers begin to study GLP-1 RAs, diabetics can expect to see more information on the advantages and disadvantages to the once weekly injections. This research will be vital in developing new and more efficient treatments.
