Bryan Betty: New medications for type 2 diabetes

What is Type 2 diabetes? 

Body not able to control sugars – sugars become  in body high 

Basically due to the pancreas wearing out over time not producing enough insulin or insulin becoming ineffective. 
We are seeing more cases in younger people especially Māori and Pacific. 

How big a problem is it and what harm to the body does it cause? 

Thought to be approximately 300,000 in NZ living with type 2 diabetes. 

Health system cost 2.1 billion year – 0.67% GDP! 
Individual cost: increased rates renal failure, heart disease, blindness, leg amputation, if not controlled. 

What are the new medications? 

Diet, exercise and  weight reduction  central to treatment. Medications are needed such as metformin and insulin.   

Now available two new medications: 
Jardiance daily tablet: causes us to ‘pee’ sugar out of the body when we urinate. 
Trulicity- weekly injection: mimics a hormone that means we feel full and eat less and absorb sugar within body and can lose weight. 

Why are they important? 

Gives more treatment options in addition to metformin and insulin.   
Major differences don’t just lower sugar in body: also protect kidney from damage , and reduce chances of heart disease, and weight reduction: first time ever! 
In Higher doses Trulicity the weekly injection:  has been used overseas for weight reduction ( Ozempic, Saxena New Zealand – not funded here) – has been in news 
Lead  to worldwide  shortages at times that have affected New Zealand. 

What should we do? 

Important over age of 40 have regular blood sugar tests to see if developing problem. 
Need to review regularly with GP and nurse: diet, exercise in combination with medication is important. 

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