Patients with type 1 diabetes could possibly cease daily insulin injections thanks to the “miracle” weight loss drug Ozempic originally developed to combat type 2 diabetes, Metro News reported.
A small-scale study concluded that the results could potentially bring about the most significant change in type 1 diabetes treatment since the discovery of insulin in 1921.
Typically, type 1 diabetes patients require multiple daily insulin injections to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This is due to the body’s immune system attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic among other brand names, has recently made breakthroughs in type 2 diabetes treatment. The drug aids in better-managing blood sugar levels and also supports weight loss.
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A team led by Dr. Paresh Dandona, a New York-based professor of medicine, investigated whether the drug could also benefit those with type 1 diabetes. They studied ten patients over two years, who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the preceding three to six months.
The patients were first treated with a low dose of semaglutide along with mealtime and background insulin. As the study progressed, the semaglutide dose was increased, and mealtime insulin was reduced to prevent hypoglycemia.
“Within six months we were able to eliminate basal insulin in seven of the ten patients,” stated Dr. Dandona, adding that this was maintained until the end of the 12-month follow-up period.
While some patients experienced side effects like nausea, vomiting, and appetite suppression, these led to weight loss, which is generally an advantage considering half of the type 1 diabetes patients in the US are overweight or obese.
The findings from this study are so promising that a larger and longer study is now being pursued, according to Dr. Dandona.
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