
Diabetes treatment: THIS new drug could be biggest development since discovery of insulin
Researchers have discovered that a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes patients could also benefit those with type 1 diabetes.
A study by the University of Buffalo has revealed that type 1 patients given dapagliflozin - a medication traditionally given to type 2 sufferers - experienced a significant decline in their blood sugar levels.
Until now, there hadn’t been a significant development in treatment for type 1 diabetes since the discovery of insulin in the 1920s.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes sufferers have higher than normal blood sugar levels.
When the drug was taken in addition to insulin - needed by type 1 diabetics every day to survive - there was an improvement in blood glucose levels.
However, the former is where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, while the latter is caused when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don't react to insulin.
In the study, researchers looked at 833 participants aged between 18 and 75 who had poorly controlled blood sugars for 24 weeks.
It was the first time dapagliflozin had been tested for effectiveness and safety in treating type 1 globally - the study took place in 17 countries.
When the drug was taken in addition to insulin - needed by type 1 diabetics every day to survive - there was an improvement in blood glucose levels.
Fri, August 19, 2016
Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 500,000 who are living undiagnosed with the condition.
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