Is Exenatide another novel drug for type 2 diabetes?

Exenatide (synthetic exendin-4), an experimental synthetic peptide, may be an exciting new addition to current treatment for type�2 diabetes. In phase 3 clinical trials, injections of exenatide (when added to sulfonylureas and/or metformin) enhanced beta cell function, thereby improving blood sugar control and possibly weight loss.

The researchers claim that exenatide is able to increase insulin secretion when needed (when the blood sugar is high), thus decreasing hypoglycemia caused by inappropriate insulin secretion. Although the blood sugar improvement was very encouraging, mild to moderate nausea was a common side effect — and the medication must be injected. Only time will tell whether this new class of drugs will be a useful addition to the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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