Type 2 diabetes treatment adds another tool to its arsenal

Last Friday, the type 2 diabetes landscape saw promising news with the FDA approval of a first-in-class, dual action drug that targets both glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. Tirzepatide provides another promising treatment option to help manage dysregulated blood sugar and promote weight loss.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Canada has continued to increase over the last decade with more than 3 million Canadians living with diabetes today. This number is likely an underestimate as approximately 20% of diabetes cases go undiagnosed. However, data also shows that those with diabetes are living longer with a diabetes diagnosis than in past decades. This is due, in part, to the continued research and expansion of diabetes related drugs available for treatment. Tirzepatide has shown to be more effective than other diabetic treatments with superior A1C and body weight reductions after 40 weeks of treatment in adults with type 2 diabetes. Indeed, the observed magnitude of A1C reductions has not been seen in trials for other glucose-reducing agents before now.

The causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and can change along with the social landscape we exist in. This adds to the difficulty in developing new drugs to treat a multifactorial disease. As tirzepatide was submitted for Health Canada approval in February 2022, Canadians with type 2 diabetes can look forward to even more options in the diabetes treatment toolbox in the near future.

-Hannah