IDegLira outperforms Lantus in reducing HbA1c of adults with type 2 diabetes, study reports

The combination drug IDegLira outperformed Lantus in reducing HbA1c levels in adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, a new study finds.
IDegLira is a fixed-ratio combination of Tresiba (insulin degludec) and Victoza (liraglutide). It is approved in the UK as Xultophy, and was recommended for approval in the US last month.
In this new study, called DUAL V, IDegLira was tested on patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who were treated with Lantus and metformin.
These patients were then randomly assigned to IDegLira plus metformin or to continue taking Lantus plus metformin.
Across all three baselines HbA1c groups (7.5%, or less; between 7.5% and 8.5%, and 8.5% or greater), patients taking IDegLira were more likely to reach the target HbA1c goal of 7% (53 mmol/mol).
Additionally, more patients in all baselines HbA1c groups achieved this target without experiencing hypoglycemia or weight gain.
Study author Ildiko Lingvay, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, told Endocrine Today: “For [type 2 diabetes] patients uncontrolled on 20 to 50 units of glargine insulin, switching to IDegLira versus up-titration of glargine insulin has meaningful clinical advantages.
“They are more likely to achieve glycemic goals (whether HbA1c or blood glucose levels) without hypoglycemia or weight gain. Furthermore, these advantages stand true regardless of the patient’s starting HbA1c, even if the starting HbA1c is over 8.5%.”
Patients who switched to IDegLira also had a faster drop in blood sugar levels, despite decreasing the Lantus dose at the beginning of the study, the researchers added.
The findings were presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.