Liraglutide and Exenatide appear equally effective at improving glycaemic control and reducing weight in patients whether they are taking insulin or not
S Raza 4 Gibbs Green, West Kensington, London, W4 9NB Diabeticare, The Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge, UK
Abstract:
Liraglutide and exenatide are new treatments for type 2 diabetes. We examined patients treated in the standard manner from a district general hospital after one to three months treatment with these agents.
Our first twenty five patients on liraglutide without insulin were compared with those on exenatide without insulin. A further two sets of our first twenty five patients taking insulin and either liraglutide or exenatide were also compared.
In patients not taking insulin, liraglutide reduced HbA1c from 8.7% by 0.9 +/- 1.0% (mean +/- SD), P<0.001, exenatide reduced HbA1c from 8.7 % by 0.6 +/- 0.8%, P< 0.001. Weight dropped in patients on liraglutide from 107.0kg by 2.0 +/- 2.0kg, P< 0.001 compared to those on exenatide who dropped from 136.5kg by 2.6 +/- 5.0kg, P<0.01.
In patients on insulin, liraglutide reduced Hba1c from 9.8% by 0.6 +/-1.1%, P<0.03, exenatide reduced Hba1c from 9.4% by 0.6 +/-1.0%, P<0.005. Weight dropped in patients on liraglutide from 114.8kg by 0.9 +/- 2kg, P<0.01 compared to those on exenatide who dropped from 116.7kg by 2.0 +/-2.6kg, P<0.001.>.
Our results suggest that treatment with liraglutide or exenatide is similarly effective at reducing HbA1c and weight whether or not patients are on insulin.
