The advertisements for diabetes medications (oral and injectable) have been hitting the television screens more and more lately but there are a few NEW ones hitting the market and the television.

Toujeo is a new injectable that is 3 x the dosage strength of Lantus. So for those that inject a large number of units, they will be able to inject less units for the same benefit.

I saw another new one today but can't remember the name. I will post it when I see the ad again.

This is just FYI should you want to talk with you physician about some of the new options.

No one has answer this so I thought I would. Yes there are many new drugs for diabetes. I am a diabetic and I am on everything except this one b

I have some questions here.

I am a Type 2 diabetic male ,41 from India.

I am currently taking Glimepiride 3 mg in divided doses and Metformin 2500 mg per day in divided doses.

I have questions on some drugs.The reason I am asking these questions is -
In India,the common man is not aware of side effects/problems due to drugs.He just takes what the doctor gives.

1) Is Pioglitazone safe ? I suppose it is banned in France.

2) Are Januvia(Sitagliptin) and Trajenta(Linagliptin) both DPP4 inhibitors safe drugs ? I have read on numerous websites and heard about umpteen number of million dollar lawsuits from these drugs because they have caused serious pancreatic cancer resulting in death in as less as 2-3 years ?

3) Also there is an injectable Victoza (Liraglutide). My doctor had advised me this for sugar control, and also possibly weight loss(i am obese).I have seen websites devoted to Victoza lawsuits in USA resulting in million dollar compensations. It too has caused Thyroid tumours and deaths in many cases.

These drugs are available in India. In India most people would never ever know what caused the cancer.Most people are illiterate. Again nobody would dare to sue a big pharma company in India because people here are poor. Legal hassles are expensive.In India,the judges are EXTREMELY corrupt. They can go to any extent for money. The pharma company may pay money to the corrupt judges and get everything done in their favour. In Indian judiciary,you can easily win a legal case if you have money. Money is all that matters.

So it is always better to make an informed decision rather than repenting afterwards. That is why I have asked you these questions.

Amit.

Hi Amit,

Personally, I am one that is usually very reluctant to agree to a "NEW" medicine on the market as I believe that many problems will not show up until long periods of time have elapsed.

The one I mentioned is an insulin, basically just in a more concentrated form, from what I understand.

The two drugs that you are currently taking are "old timers" that have proved themselves over a very long time period. I have taken both of them myself. I am currently on insulin AND oral meds.

Personally, there are some "classes" or "types" of diabetes oral medications that I am not willing to try based on the mode of action in the body OR because they are too new for me to want to play after market "guinea pig".

I have some additional comments, but I need to look something up first. I will return in another post a little later.

I can't think of the name of one of the newer drugs that works by having your kidneys excrete some of the sugar. Now that is one for sure that I don't want to try. The kidneys have enough to deal with just from the diabetes, I don't want to have them injured more by the actions of that particular drug. I could be very wrong, but that is just my personal opinion. I have been seeing it advertised on television a lot recently but can't recall the name at the moment.

Will return with more information soon.

Hi Amit,

I am back. The drug class that excretes excess sugar in urine is called "selective sodium-glucose transporter inhibitors, (SGLT-2). Three drugs in this class are Jardiance, Farxiga, and Invokana. Studies show that these drugs have a cardiovascular benefit.

I am including some additional information that you find helpful.

Below is a list of the classes or types of diabetes medicines. Each class has its own side-effects.

Biguanides
Sulfonylureas
Meglitinide derivatives
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
Glucagonlike peptide–1 (GLP-1) agonists
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) Inhibitors
Selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors
Insulins
Amylinomimetics
Bile acid sequestrants
Dopamine agonists

Below is some information about the DPP 4 class of drugs. (Copied from the internet.)

Facts about Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors
DPP-4 inhibitors are a class of prescription medicines that are used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Medicines in the DPP-4 inhibitor class include sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. They are available as single-ingredient products and in combination with other diabetes medicines such as metformin (see Table 1 in the Safety Announcement section for a complete list of FDA-approved DPP-4 inhibitors).
DPP-4 inhibitors lower blood sugar by helping the body increase the level of the hormone insulin after meals. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into the tissues so the body can use the sugar to produce energy and keep blood sugar levels stable.
In addition to severe joint pain, other possible side effects of DPP-4 inhibitors include inflammation of the pancreas, low blood sugar when this class of medicines is combined with other prescription medicines used to treat diabetes, and allergic reactions

Table 1. List of FDA-approved DPP-4 inhibitors
Brand name Active ingredient(s)
Januvia sitagliptin
Janumet sitagliptin and metformin
Janumet XR sitagliptin and metformin extended release
Onglyza saxagliptin
Kombiglyze XR saxagliptin and metformin extended release
Tradjenta linagliptin
Glyxambi linagliptin and empagliflozin
Jentadueto linagliptin and metformin
Nesina alogliptin
Kazano alogliptin and metformin
Oseni alogliptin and pioglitazone

Below is a link regarding the newer class.

http://www.latimes.com/science/scien...917-story.html

What drug to take is a matter for discussion between physician and patient.

I have my preferences and my reluctances and voice them with my physician. Thankfully, we work as a team, and TOGETHER, decide which is best for ME.

If we can offer any additional information or help, just let us know.

Dear Amit,

Here is an article you may find interesting.

http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/ne...ugs/2014-04-16

Another interesting article about 2 classes of diabetes drugs with safety warnings.

http://pharmacist.com/new-safety-war...-should-know-0

and another one:

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-styl...icle-1.2226435

I believe Victoza is in the GLP-1 class of drugs.

Pioglitazone is (Actos) in the TZD class.

You probably know everything I have mentioned already, but maybe other members may find this information helpful.

Someone mentioned another drug to me recently. It is part of the Victoza family but is designed to provide greater weight loss than Victoza alone. I believe it is a combination injectable. Not sure. I need to see if I can find the name of it.

You seem to be very well informed on the drugs, their classes, and their potential harms and side effects. There are NONE without any risks. It is usually a matter of weighing the risks of the drug over the risks of not being on the drug, or the risks of one drug vs another. A lot depends on an individual and what risks they are willing to take.

I am always reluctant to take any medication that I feel (rightly so or not) puts me at too much risk that I am not willing to take. That is why I try to stick to the older drugs, but that is just ME. Don't mis-understand, there are times when I DO take NEW drugs.

Some of it boils down to personal choice and your physician. Keep in touch.

I will see if I can find the name of the weight loss drug of which I heard that is a brother to Victoza.

Until then, wishing you the best in your quest for a drug that will be in YOUR best interest.

I quit Actos(Pioglitizone) even after my Dr. said it was not as bad as the advertisements made it seem. The TV have lawyer commercials, many, many commercials about Actos and lawsuits. I also take Metformin and have a suggestion. You need to know your B-12 vitamin number from a blood test. A reading of 400 is the low end of acceptable. It has been found that in around 30% of long-time Metformin users the ability to absorb b-12 from the red meats, liver, organ meats in our foods has been affected. I ate well and my number was very low. Had a small car wreck and now I am paying the price for being a diabetic. I inject Lantus at night, it is an old injection and no lawyers screaming about it. As for the courts and the powers that rule, it is much the same here in America. If you can hire a big enough lawyer and can in some way prove or bring serious suspition upon or prove negligence by a company you might have a chance at winning. Thank God most of our judges are elected and corruption is still dealt with harshly. Good Luck, Ken in Texas. P.S. You might give a read in the Periferal Neuropathy forum. The usual diabetic based Neuropathy first symptom is numb toes. It might help prevent repentance.