Novo Nordisk Reports Diabetes Drug Victoza Reduces Heart Problems by 13 %
A study backed by danish drug maker Novo Nordisk and U.S. National Institutes of Health identified that, the blood sugar decreasing medicine Victoza (liraglutide) reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in type 2 diabetes sufferers.
Heart disease is the major cause of death among individuals with type 2 diabetes, the investigators noted. Study involved over 9,000 adults from 32 nations who have type 2 diabetes and a great risk of heart disease. According to CDC, type 2 diabetes impacts over 29 million people in America.
Study authors said,
About 50% took Victoza, while the other 50% had taken an inactive placebo. Both groups also had taken other drugs for health issues, like as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Monitoring sufferers for 3 years, the investigators identified that compared with sufferers in the placebo group, individuals who got Victoza had a 13 % reduced risk of heart attack or stroke. They also had a 22 % reduced risk of death from heart disease; a 15 % lower risk of death from any cause; and a 22 % reduced risk of new proof of advanced kidney disease.
Some sufferers did stop the drug due to “gastrointestinal events,” as per the report.
The study was presented in June at the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting, in New Orleans. It was also presented at the same time in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Senior author Dr. John Buse said;
I have been enthusiastic about liraglutide for a long time because I think it’s unique.
“This is the 1st diabetes medicine that has demonstrated across the board advantages for cardiovascular problems, and this recommends it has a role in treating atherosclerosis, which is what causes heart attacks and strokes”.
Dr. Allison Reiss, who operates the inflammation laboratory at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y said,
This research is encouraging, Victoza is a comparatively new drug, provided by daily injection. However, the long term effectiveness of the medicine is unidentified, Reiss added. “It will be essential to follow these sufferers over the coming few years to observe whether its positive aspects continue and to examine how it is working,” she said.
The investigators described that Victoza is from a modern class of diabetes drugs well-known as GLP-1 agonists. These drugs work in the pancreas to reduce the production of an anti insulin hormone well-known as glucagon. The medicines boost insulin production and assist control blood sugar levels.
As a additional mechanism, Victoza also works on the brain to assist decrease appetite and boost feelings of “fullness” when eating, Buse’s team described.
Reiss mentioned that due to the fact of this activity, Victoza can assist spur weight loss — and that might be the primary factor driving the improvements in heart wellness.
Dr. Gerald Bernstein who coordinates the Friedman Diabetes Program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City stated that Victoza and other medicines in its class are being significantly used, so “decreased cardiovascular possibility is an essential finding.”