New drug developed for type 2 diabetes

The control of diabetes and its complications has remained a big challenge to many physicians. To reach the recommended blood sugar levels in diabetics, many patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) will need to take a combination of medications that treat the disease in different ways.

A new drug shown by studies to offer better control of type 2 diabetes has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline, one of the largest research-based companies in the world.

The drug is the first therapy to combine two different yet complementary treatments of rosiglitazone and metformin, each working in distinct ways in the body to manage type 2 diabetes.

Metformin works primarily on the liver to lower the blood sugar level, while rosiglitazone directly targets insulin resistance, a major underlying cause of type 2 diabetes.

A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association showed that the combination of rosiglitazone and metformin significantly improved the control of insulin resistance and increased insulin production by the pancreas. This suggests that the drug combination may delay or prevent disease progression.

Mixing the complementary benefits provided by the two drugs, the combination has been shown to provide superior long-term blood sugar level control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

"Achieving and maintaining control of blood sugar levels is the key to preventing the complications associated with diabetes," said Donna Lillie, national director for research and professional education of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The combination of rosiglitazone and metformin is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet, exercise and metformin or rosiglitazone alone do not result in adequate blood sugar control.