Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : May 21, 2014 12:20 PM IST
Tired of taking all those multiple tablets to control your diabetes? Well here is a tablet that could solve all your woes linagliptin. A new age drug that promises to avoid weight gain and works as per your body's need. We spoke to Dr Rajiv Kovil, renowned diabetologist, about this new drug and how it compares to the older, traditional forms of treatment.
Who can opt for this medicine?
It can be used by all type 2 diabetics. Linagliptin is very useful for those people whose blood sugar is not controlled with the use of metformin or other conventional drugs, or those who would like to shift to a drug that does not make them put on weight.
What are the advantages over conventional therapy?
This drug has a number of great benefits over conventional therapies. For one it is insulinotropic (it affects the production and activity of insulin) and hence prevents the occurrence of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and may benefit the functioning of the heart in the long run.
How it is different from the other Type 2 diabetes drugs?
Linagliptin and its class of drugs are called insulinotropic drugs i.e. their actions are dependent upon the blood sugar levels of the patient at any given time. Hence, their actions are more when blood sugars are high and less when blood sugars are low. Moreover, the excretion of linagliptin bypasses the kidneys (does not use the kidneys for elimination) and is therefore safe even for patients suffering from kidney disease. This action is different from that of traditional medicines that work at a constant concentration and are passed through the kidneys for excretion.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
Is it available in India? How much more does it cost than the traditional methods of treatment?
Yes it is available in India. As for the cost, it is quite nominal. A person would spend approximately forty rupees per day on linagliptin as opposed to ten rupees for the traditional form of medicines.
What should a person on this medicine be aware of?
There are two important symptoms a patient should keep a look out for after taking the drug. One, is pain in the upper abdomen and second is the appearance of a skin reaction. If they notice these symptoms, they should immediately consult a doctor.
There is news that it has adverse side effects and can lead to pancreastitis, is this true? If yes, why?
If someone suffers from diabetes, they are at risk of developing a number of problems like pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, partly because of their condition and partly because of the drug.
How does the drug function?
The hormone GLP1(glucagon like peptide-1) is a naturally secreted hormone that is responsible for stopping the release of glucagon and to stimulate the production of insulin. In the case of type 2 diabetics, this hormone production is lacking. GLP1 also has another enemy, DPP IV (Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, and enzyme present on the surface of cells in the body). This enzyme breaks GLP1 down within two minutes of its release, deactivating it. Therefore a DPP IV inhibitors like linagliptin prolongs the action of healthy GLP1 and hence improves blood sugar control in diabetics.
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