Diabetes drug class does work, caution advised

A new class of diabetes drugs has been found to be effective when it comes to controlling blood glucose levels without increasing body weight. However, before they are embraced by diabetic patients and healthcare professionals, experts urge a review of long-term data .
Two of the forerunners of the drug type, called incretin-based therapy, are manufactured by some of the largest drug companies in the world. These include Eli Lilly (Byetta) and Merck &Co (Januvia.) Both of these drugs do not cause weight gain, unlike older treatment for diabetics .
An expert at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Bosto, Dr. Pittas, reportedly commented: “It would be important for physicians and patients not to jump on using new medications at the expense of older, well-established medications, especially when long-term data is lacking. They are 5 to 10 times more expensive than older, well-established medications. Whether they are 5 to 10 times better remains to be seen.”
Diabetic drug safety is a hot topic at the moment, on account of furore over Avandia and its heart disease risks.