Diabetes Drugs and Heart Risk
Actos, Avandia: New Drug Class, New Side Effects continued...
Solomon notes that no drug is absolutely safe.
"Actos and Avandia are very potent at reducing blood sugar, and people with diabetes need something," he says.
Solomon argues for deep change in the FDA's drug approval process:
- Early safety concerns should trigger "strong and clear regulatory actions."
- As a condition of drug approval, manufacturers should commit to timely postmarketing surveillance studies or randomized clinical trials in high-risk patient groups not included in the earlier clinical efficacy studies.
- After several drugs are approved for an indication, new drugs must be approved based on solid clinical endpoints (reductions in disease or death) rather than on markers such as blood sugar levels.
- Continued marketing of a drug should hinge on whether that drug proves as safe and effective as it seemed when approved.
- The risk-benefit calculation for every drug should be clearly defined so that it is obvious when a drug's risks outweigh its benefits.
The Singh and Lincoff studies, and the Solomon editorial, appear in the Sept. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
Step: of
Today in Diabetes
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.