Actos, Glucovance, Avandia and
Rezulin are thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are used for treating type 2
diabetes, in particular insulin resistance. Also known as
"glitazones," these drugs get around insulin resistance by making
muscle cells more sensitive to insulin.
In a 20-week clinical trial of
806 people with diabetes who were not taking any diabetes drugs, the
combination pill was shown to significantly lower blood glucose and contribute
to better diabetes control.
The occurrence of some cases of
liver damage has been a cause for concern among some, but
studies by Parke-Davis, the company that produces Rezulin have shown these
cases occur at a rate of one in every 57,000 users of the drug.
Leontos, a board member of National Diabetes Education Program
Steering Community, said the new drugs have opened many new doors.
“In 1995, we had oral
sulfonylureas, one class of drug to treat this disease. That was the name of
the game, that or insulin,” Leontos said. “Now we have a number of classes of
drugs, not only insulin, but we can tailor insulin to how your pancreas works.”
Still, for the elderly, these
drugs require the user to undergo liver testing to see if the patient is
susceptible to liver problems from them. Also, no data exists on the drug's
helpfulness with elderly patients, though the fact they work in muscle groups
would insinuate that loss of muscle mass would effect the drug's usefulness.
“Most of these things are not
age specific. But typically the older you get the more medication you take, the
more pills you take,” Leontos said. “The important thing is that with these
medications we can help people even if they are set in their ways. These can
address certain specific issues.
While the world of medicine
continues to make strides, the elderly should also strive to control
their diabetes with diet and exercise.
Also, these drugs are not suggested for patients with heart troubles
and they
contribute to water retention