Post by Steve on Nov 3, 2017 8:25:41 GMT -8
SGLT2 drugs are sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors
I was put on Jardiance about two years ago with a month of free samples. I had little introduction to explain anything about it, so as far as I knew it was just another way to deal with diabetes! I knew nothing about how any of this stuff worked. So I took the pills for a month and saw no real change in my fasting numbers. I was not impressed. When I asked why I should to continue, I learned that it was also supposed to help with weight loss. Okay, I stayed with it. Insurance covered it, why not?
I recently had a chance to talk with an RN from the local diabetes education group (the very ones who won't share this forum with the other type 2 people they see every day!) We talked about my short list of meds. No.1 on my list is Jardiance. I mentioned that I had little proof it was doing anything for me; my glucose was well under control and my primary care had told me that Jardiance could not have dropped my A1c as much as I had managed on my own. I also had lost very little weight, so why continue? (Even the company only suggests a drop of one full point, and honestly, that doesn't sound so spectacular.)
The RN suggested I might switch to Bydureon (a GLP-1inhibitor) and an injection once a week that would control glucose, of course, but also for better weight loss. It sounded good. Then I came home and had a chance to read up on it. It works to slow stomach emtying, you feel full but you're not. You eat less, you lose weight.
Jardiance is in a group of meds called sodium glucose cotransport (SGLT2) inhibitors and they are interesting. Basically they work by blocking reabsorption of some glucose into the kidneys, allowing excess glucose to pass out in the urine. RE absorb into the kidneys? Yes, glucose is filtered out of the blood, put then some is reabsorbed right back into the kidneys and stays in the blood stream, but excess glucose now goes out in urine. Blood glucose is reduced and calories don't end up adding weight. Only about 200 to 300 calories a day, but that adds up to weight loss (3500 calories gone = a pound ± of body weight.)
More interesting is that Jardiance testing revealed an unexpected benefit. People in a large test group ended up showing a big decrease in heart problems! How this happens is as yet not understood, but it is now recognized by the FDA as a benefit that can be mentioned.
I have a new appreciation for Jardiance, but maybe more of my sugar control is actually because of food control? And after reading about Bydureon and the side effects, I think I'm okay with staying with Jardiance..
Other SGLT2 products are Forxiga (Dapagliflozin) and Invokana (Canagliflozin.) Both work by helping the kidneys get rid of glucose from your bloodstream, but they are different medications. Invokana has warnings about possible risk for amputations! To be fair, here is a warning about all SGLT2 medications.
Check prices for all on GoodRX. This stuff is lots less expensive than the GLP-1 meds.
I was put on Jardiance about two years ago with a month of free samples. I had little introduction to explain anything about it, so as far as I knew it was just another way to deal with diabetes! I knew nothing about how any of this stuff worked. So I took the pills for a month and saw no real change in my fasting numbers. I was not impressed. When I asked why I should to continue, I learned that it was also supposed to help with weight loss. Okay, I stayed with it. Insurance covered it, why not?
I recently had a chance to talk with an RN from the local diabetes education group (the very ones who won't share this forum with the other type 2 people they see every day!) We talked about my short list of meds. No.1 on my list is Jardiance. I mentioned that I had little proof it was doing anything for me; my glucose was well under control and my primary care had told me that Jardiance could not have dropped my A1c as much as I had managed on my own. I also had lost very little weight, so why continue? (Even the company only suggests a drop of one full point, and honestly, that doesn't sound so spectacular.)
The RN suggested I might switch to Bydureon (a GLP-1inhibitor) and an injection once a week that would control glucose, of course, but also for better weight loss. It sounded good. Then I came home and had a chance to read up on it. It works to slow stomach emtying, you feel full but you're not. You eat less, you lose weight.
Jardiance is in a group of meds called sodium glucose cotransport (SGLT2) inhibitors and they are interesting. Basically they work by blocking reabsorption of some glucose into the kidneys, allowing excess glucose to pass out in the urine. RE absorb into the kidneys? Yes, glucose is filtered out of the blood, put then some is reabsorbed right back into the kidneys and stays in the blood stream, but excess glucose now goes out in urine. Blood glucose is reduced and calories don't end up adding weight. Only about 200 to 300 calories a day, but that adds up to weight loss (3500 calories gone = a pound ± of body weight.)
More interesting is that Jardiance testing revealed an unexpected benefit. People in a large test group ended up showing a big decrease in heart problems! How this happens is as yet not understood, but it is now recognized by the FDA as a benefit that can be mentioned.
I have a new appreciation for Jardiance, but maybe more of my sugar control is actually because of food control? And after reading about Bydureon and the side effects, I think I'm okay with staying with Jardiance..
Other SGLT2 products are Forxiga (Dapagliflozin) and Invokana (Canagliflozin.) Both work by helping the kidneys get rid of glucose from your bloodstream, but they are different medications. Invokana has warnings about possible risk for amputations! To be fair, here is a warning about all SGLT2 medications.
Check prices for all on GoodRX. This stuff is lots less expensive than the GLP-1 meds.