Exenatide and diabetes

 Can Exenatide Be Used to Treat Diabetes. Exenatide, which is also known as exendin-4, is a new agent for those who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

Maurice is a 30 year old teacher who is having obesiy. After being diagnosed with diabetes during the last physician examination, this person hoped that this will be eliminated after making some changes in his lifestyle - such as going on a diet and exercise.Though the effort shown by Maurice is superb, doctors have said that those who have diabetes will have to deal with this for the rest of their lives.

Until now, scientists have not been able to find a permanent cure for diabetes mellitus. There are various medicines on the market with many more still in clinical trials and research. One drug that has a lot of potential to treat this disease is known as Exenatide.

Exenatide, which is also known as exendin-4, is a new agent for those who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The first tests show it can decrease the blood sugar and bring it to the required level, and is also associated with weight loss.

Since it is still in clinical trials, tests have only been done in animals. When this was administered to the test subject, it helped the creature preserve and form new beta cells which are produced in the pancreas.

The results of the test are very promising since this can make the pancreas produce insulin instead of needing to have it injected into the body.

Exenatide is made up of 39 amino acids. It is also a powerful stimulator of a receptor known as GLP-1 or glucagon like Peptide 1. This helps regulate gastric emptying, food intake, glucagon secretion, and insulin secretion.

Can anybody who is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes get this drug? The answer is no. This will only be given to those who are not on a well-controlled diet and if the medication given before does achieve the targeted HbA1c levels on metformin, sulphonylureas or thiazolidenediones.

Patients who will be allowed to take this drug must take it twice a day, preferably before each meal. Because of the side effects mentioned earlier, further research is being done to administer this only once a week or twice in a month.

Believe it or not, the ingredients from this drug comes from the saliva of the poisonous Gila monster. This reptile can be found in certain parts of North America and doesn't eat much since it only consumes prey only four times a year.

What makes this drug so unique from others is that it works by several mechanisms. It stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits production of glucose by the liver, and slows the emptying of the stomach. It can suppress the individual's appetite - thereby contributing to weight loss.

Most drugs that are used to help diabetes patients can be taken orally. This, on the other hand, has to be injected so the person better be strong when the needle is inserted. When this has been approved by the food and drugs administration, this will look similar to the injectable that contains insulin.

Testing later on with some patients revealed it lowers the blood sugar levels and triglyceride concentrations after each meal. The only side effects experienced were nausea that was either mild or moderate.

So, Can Exenatide Be Used to Treat Diabetes?

The answer is yes since it is already in Stage III of clinical trials. This means it won't be long now for patients to use this medication to treat Type 2 Diabetes.