Diabetes Drugs Linked To Increased Risk Of Death
Three common diabetes drugs are associated with an increased risk of death, says a new study presented at the Endocrine Society’s 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.
According to PubMed Health, diabetes is a chronic illness in which high levels of sugar in the blood is a hallmark of the condition. The two main types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes in which the body makes little or no insulin and type 2 diabetes in which the body does not respond correctly to insulin. Gestational diabetes can also occur during pregnancy in women who were not previously diabetic.
Diabetes is often controlled with medication. However, three common diabetes drugs (glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride) have recently been linked to an increased risk of death. All three medications are sulfonylureas, which are diabetes drugs that help decrease blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin.
According to past research, all sulfonylureas were considered equal. However, recent research indicates that certain types of diabetes drugs may be safer than others. When comparing glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride with another medication, metformin, researchers discovered that individuals who took metformin had a decreased risk of death than individuals who took one of the other three diabetes drugs.
As Kevin M. Pantalone, D.O., an endocrinologist at Summa Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and the lead author of the study, comments on Medical News Today:
“We have clearly demonstrated that metformin is associated with a substantial reduction in mortality risk, and, thus, should be the preferred first-line agent, if one has a choice between metformin and a sulfonylurea.”
According to the study, the three diabetes drugs glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride were associated with a more than 50 percent increased risk of death compared to metformin. Furthermore, in diabetes patients who also had heart disease, glipizide was associated with a 41 percent and glyburide with a 38 percent increased risk of death.
As Pantalone explains on Science Daily:
“Since many patients with type 2 diabetes also have coronary artery disease, our results could potentially impact the care of a large number of patients. In these patients, we now know that glimepiride appears to be safer than the other commonly prescribed sulfonylureas, glipizide and glyburide, available in the United States.”
Although all medications including diabetes drugs come with risks, the risks must be weighed against the benefits. The results of this study may help to improve the care and outcome of patients with diabetes. As Pantalone concludes:
“All drugs have risks, even those which are generic and relatively inexpensive. It is important to talk to with your doctors about which drugs may be better and safer options, which may vary depending on your other health conditions.”
Have you experienced a negative reaction while taking one these diabetes drugs?
Tags : death, diabetes, diabetes and death, Diabetes Drugs, diabetes medications, diabetes study, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide
Posted: June 26, 2012
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Jun 27, 2012
I always try to take natural products to control my diabetes. I have type 1 and I take insulin, but I take aloe vera alongside.
Jul 25, 2012
Metformin has been recommended as first line treatment for diabetes type 2 for a long time. However, many people require a number of medications to achieve control. As with any medication the risk needs to be balanced against the benefits. While metformin is a great drug, some people are unable to take it because of GI intolerance, kidney impairment, or age restriction. If the patient and physician have done everything they can do which includes adherence to diet and exercise, another medication may have to be added. At that point, you would need to choose between a sulfonylurea (topic of this article), a TZD (actos which is in the news for causing bladder cancer and may lead to CHF in people vulnerable to this complication), the new class incretins (januvia, tradjenta onglyza oral or byetta victoza injectable) or insulin. An appropriate diet with exercise per the health care provider is the first and major form of treatment with is often not implemented to its full capacity. I have seen diet and good weight loss lead to people having normal sugars and being able to stop medication. http://www.diabeticsurvivalkit.com
Jul 25, 2012
Metformin has been recommended as first line treatment for diabetes type 2 for a long time. However, many people require a number of medications to achieve control. As with any medication the risk needs to be balanced against the benefits. While metformin is a great drug, some people are unable to take it because of GI intolerance, kidney impairment, or age restriction. If the patient and physician have done everything they can do which includes adherence to diet and exercise, another medication may have to be added. At that point, you would need to choose between a sulfonylurea (topic of this article), a TZD (actos which is in the news for causing bladder cancer and may lead to CHF in people vulnerable to this complication), the new class incretins (januvia, tradjenta onglyza oral or byetta victoza injectable) or insulin. An appropriate diet with exercise per the health care provider is the first and major form of treatment with is often not implemented to its full capacity. I have seen diet and good weight loss lead to people having normal sugars and being able to stop medication. http://www.diabeticsurvivalkit.com
Jul 25, 2012
Sybil…what's your take on the recent medical findings that seem to say umbibical cord cells cure type one diabetes in mice? Just curious.
Jul 25, 2012
I take Janumet, which has metformin in it.
Jul 25, 2012
I sometimes think metformin actually increases the amount of exercise I get because of the extra time I spend running to the bathroom…
Seriously, I have just recently been taken off glyburide as an adjunct to metformin; my sugars are good (fasting BGs in the 90-110 range), though they were slightly lower when still taking glyburide (85-105). My MD also suggests that losing the glyburide could help with my remaining weight loss (down 80 pounds, I'm working to lose another 50) because it leads to an increase in insulin production. The goal is, through weight loss, constant monitoring, and running (obviously! 
, I intend to be off medication and be a "recovering diabetic," managing my sugars without meds of any kind.
Jul 25, 2012
Running With Diabetes Good for you. Metformin can lead to diarrhea and some people cannot tolerate it. Often, when introduced at low doses and waiting for the diarrhea to clear after each dose increase, a PWD can reach a therapeutic dose without the diarrhea.
Jul 25, 2012
Carole Pomerleau a cure is a long way off. Live with hope but stay in control.
Jul 31, 2012
Thanks for the info. Will pass along to our clients. Our free program helps people lower their A1C with exercise and healthy meals. Just text the word HEALTH to 300400. Use zip 45219 if you're not in our area.