Semaglutide Effective in Blood Sugar Control, Soon To Be Available as Pills

Semaglutides are a class of drugs prescribed for type 2 diabetics, but are available as an injection and the trials for the development of pills are ongoing.

Highlights

The drug semaglutide results in better glycemic control in those with type 2 diabetes.
The oral formulation of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may improve acceptance and adherence than the injectable form.
Improved HbA1c levels of less than 7 and weight loss of more than 5% of the usual body weight were observed in those who took the pill.

Oral semaglutide, tested in type 2 diabetics was found control blood sugar levels and help in weight loss.

Originally, the drug, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is available as an injection and is an effective therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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‘The highest dose of oral semaglutide was similar in action to the injectable form of the drug in reducing weight and reducing blood glucose levels.’

The effects of oral semaglutide with placebo and open-label subcutaneous semaglutide on glycemic control was tested in diabetics.

Dr. Melanie Davies, "The A1C reductions and weight loss were very impressive and similar to what we’ve seen with the weekly injection of semaglutide."

Semaglutide

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Semaglutide is a pharmaceutical drug in development by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog and functions as a GLP-1 agonist.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists or incretin mimetics are agonists of the GLP-1 receptor. This class of drugs is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

One of their advantages over older insulin secretagogues, such as sulfonylureas or meglitinides, is that they have a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia. There is some concern over the safety profile of these drugs due to proliferative effects in the pancreas.

About the study

In a phase 2 trial, 632 patients with type 2 diabetes and insufficient glycemic control were randomized to 3 groups. They were either given different doses of oral semaglutide and or oral placebo; or once-weekly semaglutide by injection (subcutaneous) for 26 weeks.

Body weight and HbA1c levels were assessed before and after 26 weeks.

Oral semaglutide reduced the hemoglobin Alc (HbA1c) level from baseline to week 26 . The change was in accordance with the dose level.
Oral semaglutide reductions in HbA1c were significant compared to the placebo.
From an average baseline HbA1c level of 7.9%, patients receiving oral semaglutide achieved the target HbA1c level of less than 7 percent.
Clinically relevant (5 percent or more) weight loss was achieved in up to 71 percent of patients receiving oral semaglutide.

Adverse Events

There were three reported cases of pancreatitis, that is, inflammation of the pancreas. This is a potentially serious condition that has been linked to this class of medication.

Although several type 2 diabetes treatments are available, therapy selection involves consideration of the risks of adverse effects such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or weight gain and complexity of treatment.

The oral formulation of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (a class of drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes) may improve acceptance and adherence for some patients compared with the injectable formulation of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GLP-1 drugs, whether by injection or by mouth, should be given in combination with the standard first line type 2 diabetes drug metformin.

Reference

Melanie Davies, Thomas R. Pieber, Marie-Louise Hartoft-Nielsen, Oluf K. H. Hansen, Serge Jabbour, Julio Rosenstock. Effect of Oral Semaglutide Compared With Placebo and Subcutaneous Semaglutide on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA (2017), doi:10.1001/jama.2017.14752.

Source-Medindia