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Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: Meglitinides

This class of drugs, also known as the nonsulfonylurea secretagogues, is relatively new compared to the sulfonylureas (chlorpropamide [brand name Diabinese], glyburide [DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase], glipizide [Glucotrol], glipizide extended-release [Glucotrol XL], and glimepiride [Amaryl]), with the first meglitinide being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997… [Glucotrol XL], and glimepiride [Amaryl]), with the first meglitinide being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997. Meglitinides act in a similar manner to the sulfonylureas but with a few major differences…

Diane Fennell

Affordable Drug Combo Slashes Heart Risk by As Much As 80%

People at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke can cut their risk by as much as 80% by using a combination of three common medicines — all of them available as generics — according to a recent study published in The American Journal of Managed Care. Heart disease death rates and the risk of stroke are roughly two to four times higher in adults with diabetes than in people without diabetes

Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: DPP-4 Inhibitors

DPP-4 inhibitors, a relatively new class of drugs for Type 2 diabetes, were introduced in 2006. Sitagliptin (brand name Januvia), the first medicine in this class, was approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in October 2006; in July 2009, a second DPP-4 inhibitor, saxagliptin (Onglyza), was approved…

Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas among were the first oral medicines available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. They were discovered by accident in France by a researcher who was working on drugs for typhoid fever. Animals that were given sulfounylureas displayed unusual behaviors and were found to have hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). It was quickly recognized that these drugs could be used for the treatment of diabetes…

Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, a class of drugs also known as “starch blockers,” function by slowing the absorption of certain carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract. Two drugs in this class — acarbose (brand name Precose) and miglitol (Glyset) — are approved in the United States, while two others — voglibose (Volix and others) and emiglitate — are available only outside of the United States…

Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: Thiazolidinediones

This class of drugs was introduced into practice over a decade ago, but the first thiazolidinedione turned out to be associated with severe side effects. The drug, named troglitazone (brand name Rezulin), was introduced into the United States in 1997 and removed from clinical use 3 years later due to concerns about liver damage…

Diane Fennell

New Diabetes Drug Approved

Mark Marino

Diabetes Drugs: Metformin

Tara Dairman

Novel Diabetes Drug Cycloset Approved

Tara Dairman

Stronger Warning For Gastroparesis Drug

Eric Lagergren

Switching Pharmacies Is Hard on the Heart

Web Team

In the Pipeline: Oral Insulin

Tara Dairman

Salsalate Study Now Recruiting

David Spero

New Study, Same Problems

Tara Dairman

Does Aspirin Do Much Good?

David Spero

Too Many Drugs

Tara Dairman

Fibrate Drug Alone Doesn’t Cut Heart Risks for Type 2’s

David Spero

New Drugs: Myths and Facts

Tara Dairman

The Rising Costs of Treating Type 2

Tara Dairman

Updated Guidelines for Treating Type 2

Jan Chait

Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat When it Comes to Your Health

Amy Campbell

One of the Most Effective Diabetes Drugs

Tara Dairman

Drug Combo Linked to Increased Health Risks

Amy Campbell

How Many Diabetes Educators Can You Fit Into One Convention Center?

Tara Dairman

Diabetes Treatment and Alzheimer Disease

David Spero

Are Your Meds Making You Fat?

Tara Dairman

New Combination Drug Approved

Amy Campbell

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 5): Wrapping Up

Jan Chait

Blast It! Starting on Multiple Meds Makes Sense

Amy Campbell

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 4): Blood Lipids

Amy Campbell

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 3): Blood Lipids

Amy Campbell

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 2): Blood Pressure

Amy Campbell

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 1): Steroids

Jan Chait

Fishing for Freedom from Harassment

Tara Dairman

Actos May Help Slow Heart Disease

Web Team

What We’re Reading: Antidepressants and Diabetes Risk

Jan Chait

In Praise of Pharmacists

Jan Chait

Some Days Are for the Birds

Tara Dairman

Study Finds New Risks for Avandia

Web Team

What We’re Reading: A Red-Wine–Inspired Diabetes Drug?

Tara Dairman

Avandia: New Warning and Findings

Jan Chait

Byetta Garners Pancreatitis Warning

Jan Chait

In the Hospital, Resistance is Futile

Tara Dairman

Actos Tops Avandia in Heart Safety Studies

David Spero

Answering Reader Questions

Tara Dairman

Panel Recommends That Avandia Stay on the Market

Tara Dairman

More Trouble for Avandia; Alternative Drugs Reviewed

Amy Campbell

Weight Loss Drugs: Is the Magic Pill Here at Last? (Part 2)

Tara Dairman

Lipid-lowering Drugs Help Avert Neuropathy, Stroke

Amy Campbell

Weight-Loss Drugs: Is the Magic Pill Here At Last? (Part 1)

Tara Dairman

New Data on Avandia; New Warnings for TZD Drugs

Tara Dairman

Avandia Update

Tara Dairman

Type 2 Drug Avandia Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Attacks

Jan Chait

The Best Medicine?

Tara Dairman

Good and Bad News About Diabetes and Cancer

Tara Dairman

New Combination Diabetes Drug Janumet Approved

Jan Chait

Practicing Medicine Without a License

Tara Dairman

Second Diabetes Drug Linked to Increased Fractures

Tara Dairman

Diabetes Drug Linked to Fracture Risk

Tara Dairman

Byetta Approved for Use With TZDs

Tara Dairman

Article of the Week: Generic Drugs

Amy Campbell

Metformin and Risk For Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Tara Dairman

Statin Studies Show Important Benefits for People With Diabetes

Tara Dairman

What We’re Reading

Tara Dairman

New Diabetes Drug Januvia Approved by FDA

Tara Dairman

Not Taking Prescribed Drugs Linked with Death in People with Diabetes

Katharine Davis

Some Canadian Web Sites Sell Counterfeit Drugs

Disclaimer of Medical Advice: You understand that the blog posts and comments to such blog posts (whether posted by us, our agents or bloggers, or by users) do not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs. The opinions and other information contained in the blog posts and comments do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Site Proprietor.


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