Arthritis drug ‘diabetes aid’

A COMMON rheumatoid arthritis drug could lower blood sugar in patients who also have Type 2 diabetes, a study suggests.

Lefluonamide cut glucose levels and reversed insulin resistance in mice.

Prof Xuilong Xu, of Yangzhou University, China, said rheumatoid arthritis sufferers were at greater risk of Type 2 diabetes.

A drug for both “could greatly benefit patients”, he said. Tests are planned to find out if lefluonamide also helps humans.