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Medication may improve blood sugar control of type 1 diabetics

Category: Diabetes

Individuals with type 1 diabetes may be able to improve their HbA1c test scores significantly by adding the drug liraglutide to their treatment regimen, according to a new study out of the University of Buffalo.

The medication is currently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but the researchers said that extending its use to type 1 diabetics could have significant advantages for these individuals.

In a study that involved 14 patients with type 1 diabetes who were prescribed the medication, the researchers found that it significantly improved their blood sugar control. This was particularly notable given the fact that the patients were chosen specifically because they already had relatively good control over their blood sugar.

The researchers said that even type 1 diabetics who go to great lengths to maintain their condition still experience episodes of high or low blood sugar. A medication that works in these individuals could represent a major advancement in the treatment of the condition.

In fact, the leader of the study said that such a medication could be the biggest advancement in the treatment of type 1 diabetes since insulin was made available.