FDA approves new option for Type 2 diabetes

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The Food and Drug Administration has approved a novel dual-targeted treatment for Type 2 diabetes.

Endocrinologist Dr. Paul Jellinger, with The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Care, said the once weekly injectable drug has been shown to improve blood sugar control and provide other benefits to patients.

“It helps release insulin, reduces appetite results in weight loss and does not produce hypoglycemia. So here’s a drug that targets both pathways --the GLP pathway and the GIP pathway, and you get an expanded benefit,” he said.

Jellinger said controlling blood sugar as soon as possible can also prevent major cardiac events, such as heart attacks.

Also in today’s health news, researchers are looking to enroll 1,400 healthy adults ages 55 to 80 in a study investigating whether an IV medication can prevent brain changes that could lead to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“And how this medication works (is) just as it sounds -- it looks for amyloid in the brain and reduces that amyloid. This is one of the proteins that we think is very important for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, with the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush Hospital.

For locations across the U.S. to enroll at, go to: https://www.aheadstudy.org/.

The clinical trial is expected to last four years.


About the Authors:

Veteran journalist Kathleen Corso is the special projects producer for Local 10 News.

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.