Diabetes & Byetta

The FDA has approved Januvia, (sitagliptin, which is a once daily pill
using the same incretin effect that byetta does. Byetta mimics glp-1 a
hormone produced in the gut after meals that prompt insulin release when
glucose levels rise. Natural glp-1 is quickly broken down and diabetics
don’t produce enough. This pill prvents glp-1 from being broken down
quickly so the amount the gut does produce stays at high levels for long
periods to prompt insulin when glucose levels rise.

The only major difference is from byetta that research testing showed was
little or no weight loss and it had fewer side effects, most likely because
the levels of the hormone are not as high as byetta injections when it is
working. A1c and daily glucose and other diabetic treatment effects were
similar to byetta. Like byetta also it shows promise of allowing beta
cells to regenerate.

It is thought it will cost as much or less then byetta and is approved as a
stand alone diabetic drug or in combination with other familiar drugs. It
is my opinion that when byetta users get a handle on their glucose levels
and have lost weight they can then switch to Januvia for maintenance if
life style changes are adopted to prevent weight gain. For those for whom
weight is under control a diabetic can start with Januvia.

Here is the company web site with general information about the drug and
other information of use to diabetics:

XB
IC|XC

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