Quality-of-Life Improves for Patients with DiabetesContinued advances are making life easier for the millions of Americans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Novel methods of monitoring blood glucose, new ways to administer insulin, innovative drug combinations, and new approaches to handling complications are making diabetes more manageable and improving everyday existence for patients. Millions of patients with diabetes must give themselves daily insulin injections to regulate their blood glucose levels. Novel forms of insulin injection are now available to either reduce the number of injections a patient must take or help patients achieve faster glucose control. In the current issue of DRUG Infoline, a new fast-acting insulin injection, NovoLog, is described. And Lantus, a once-daily insulin injection, is reported in the June 5 issue of DRUG Infoline. A new inhalable form of insulin is also showing promise in clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Amira Medical's new AtLast Blood Glucose monitoring system, which is now available for consumer use. The FDA also recently approved a laser device that people with diabetes can use in place of the traditional lancet to monitor blood sugar. You can also read about how the investigational agent Glucovance, a combination of the drugs metformin and glyburide, is helping patients with type 2 diabetes, and how the antidepressant Effexor XR may reduce pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Both drugs are covered in the current issue of DRUG Infoline. For more information see: |