Older Diabetes Drugs Work
as Well as Avandia
Older, cheaper diabetes drugs appear to work as well as Avandia,
resolved an analysis on the efficacy of metformin
and Avandia, which has recently come under close scrutiny for its ties to
heart problems. Between the two, the
clear winner is metformin, sold as Glucophage generic for about $100 a year. It
works as well as other diabetes pills but does not cause weight gain or hypoglycemia, the
analysis found. It also lowers LDL or
bad cholesterol.
Consumer
Reports published a consumer guide of the results. Besides metformin, it rates glipizide and
glimepiride, sold as Amaryl and Glucotrol as some of better choices for
diabetics for control of their diabetes. All diabetes pills can cause problems, so
patients should pick the medication based on what side effects matter most in
their own situation, the guide advises.
“This is truly significant information for the millions of
people with diabetes struggling to control their disease, but also struggling
with the high cost of their medications," said Gail Shearer, project
director of Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.
Diabetes
is epidemic, afflicting more than 18 million Americans or 7 percent of the
population. Most Americans suffer from Type 2, which means body makes too little
insulin or cannot use what it does produce. Being overweight only raises this
risk.