Diabetic Living - Fall 2010

» Continued from page 15

New diabetes diagnostic criteria In the 2010 Clinical Practice Recommendations, the American Diabetes Association announced the addition of A1C (average blood glucose over time) testing as one indication for a diagnosis of diabetes.

Victoza: once-daily injection

FDA-approved Victoza is the ;rst once-a-day medication for type; 2

diabetes that lowers blood sugar and may help reduce weight.

Victoza is an injectable medication that mimics natural glucagon-like peptide, or GLP- 1, by helping the pancreas make more insulin after eating. The once-daily human GLP- 1

analog is for people with type 2

diabetes, and is used as part of a
medication plan.
Victoza is an option when diet
changes, exercise, and metformin
aren’t enough to meet blood sugar
goals. It’s not recommended as
;rst-line therapy.

Diagnosis now may be based on any of these four criteria: •A1C > 6.5% (Must be performed in a laboratory using a certi;ed and standardized method.)

•Fasting plasma glucose > 126 mg/dl. (Fasting is de;ned as no caloric intake for at least

8 hours.)

•2-hour plasma glucose > 200 mg/dl after consuming

75 grams of glucose.

•Random plasma glucose > 200 mg/dl with symptoms of severe hyperglycemia (excessive urination, thirst, and unexplained weight loss).

Like natural GLP- 1, Victoza
stimulates beta cells to release
insulin only when blood glucose
levels are high, so the risk of
hypoglycemia is low.
“Victoza provides patients a
once-daily treatment that not only
lowers blood sugar, it does not
promote weight gain and is
associated with weight loss in the
majority of patients,” says Alan J.

Garber, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Victoza and other diabetes medications work
to stimulate body hormones for blood glucose
control. Turn to page 34 to learn about four
hormones that affect blood sugars.

The A1C test isn’t necessarily superior to other diagnosis methods, but it is convenient because fasting isn’t required.

8mm

4mm

50%

shorter than
the leading
needle

BD Medical has released the Nano, the smallest injection pen needle available.

At 4 mm, the Nano is 50 percent shorter and 8 percent thinner than the leading pen needle. It’s also clinically proven to be just as effective as longer needles for people of all sizes. The Nano ;ts on all insulin pens.