In late January 2010 the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s newest medication, Victoza® (liraglutide), which is the first Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike Byetta® (exenatide), the only other medication currently available in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and a GLP-1 mimetic, Victoza® is 97% homologous with natural GLP-1 and is produced by recombinant DNA technology.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has released their new 2009 Diabetes Treatment Guidelines/Algorithm and I am very excited by the direction they have moved. I am in complete agreement with their stance to limit if not completely avoid the use of sulfonylureas and use more of the newer products that may preserve beta cell function. I also like the treatment guidelines being based on multiple factors including current glucose control/A1c level and whether of not the patient is newly diagnosed.

Saxagliptin has recently been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in adjunct to diet and exercise and is now available in pharmacies. Saxagliptin is marketed by the tradename Onglyza™ and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and is being comarketed by AstraZeneca. 

The control of glucose is vitally important for the prevention of diabetes related microvascular complications (retinopathy and nephropathy) and neuropathy. However, studies have now shown that in order to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia are as or more important than glucose control.