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#5
Metformin Found Safe and
Effective for Children
Metformin significantly improved blood sugar control in children
with Type 2 diabetes
Experts say the number of children with type 2 diabetes has risen
dramatically in the past 10 years. They blame the increase, in
part, to the rising number of obese and overweight children who
live sedentary lives. Typically, diabetic children have type 1
diabetes, and insulin is used to treat the disease. Type 1
diabetes, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease and not
related to obesity in children. Experts say alternative therapies
are needed to treat children with type 2 diabetes, especially
because insulin can cause weight gain.
The drug metformin has been used to treat adults with type 2
diabetes for many years. It improves blood sugar control and
increases sensitivity to insulin. There is also a low risk of
hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, with metformin. Researchers from
around the country studied the drug in 82 children between the
ages of 10 and 16 with type 2 diabetes. Children were given up to
1,000 mg twice a day for up to 16 weeks.
Compared to a placebo, metformin significantly improved blood
sugar control in children. Further, the drug did not have a
negative impact on weight. Authors of the study write, "Metformin
was shown to be safe and effective for treatment of type 2
diabetes in pediatric patients." SOURCE: Diabetes Care,
2002;25:89-94
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DID YOU KNOW?
High blood
pressure affects 71 percent of people with diabetes but few of
them receive adequate treatment to achieve recommended levels,
according to a new study.
By referring
your friends and colleagues to Diabetes in Control you can win a
free scholarship or expense check for the 2002 AADE conference in
Philadelphia.
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/scholorship.shtml
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