Diabetes drug warning

Treatment used by 170,000 sufferers is linked to early cancer signs and higher risk of pancreatic disease, says study

DIABETES drugs commonly prescribed in Ireland have been linked to pancreatic disease, a study has suggested.

Independent research found an increased risk of inflammation of the pancreas and of pre-cancerous cell changes in the pancreas in a handful of patients taking the medicine.

The drugs, known as GLP-1 therapies, are used in the treatment of type II diabetes alongside dieting and exercise.

Some 170,000 patients who have type II diabetes are taking GLP-1 therapies. Such medicines include Byetta, Januvia and Onglyza.

Researchers examined the pancreas organs of patients, including non- diabetics, whose deaths were not caused by diabetes.

Eight patients on GLP therapies were found to have an increased risk of pancreatitis and pre- cancerous cell changes in the organ. Diabetes experts, though, urged patients to continue taking their medication and stressed that the drugs had been tested on thousands of diabetics before they were licensed.

Professor Gerald Tomkin, of the Beacon Clinic, said: ‘There is nothing for patients to be concerned about.

‘The study focused on a very small number of patients. Only eight were on the GLP therapies. Thousands of patients were on trials which led to the approval of the drugs.

‘The drugs were under vast trials before they were approved and licensed and are under constant surveillance.’ He said the drugs were ‘commonly prescribed’ here and said the product information contained warnings for patients and doctors.

He said any drug that has an effect will have a side-effect.

‘These side- effects we monitor

‘Talk to your doctor about concerns’

very closely,’ the professor said. Diet, weight reduction and exercise are always the first line of treatment for patients with type II diabetes. Researchers focused on medicines containing active ingredients including exenatide, liraglutide, sitagliptin, saxagliptin.

Exenatide can be found in the medicine called Byetta, sitagliptin is found in the drug known as Januvia and saxagliptin is found in the Onglyza treatment.

GLP-1 based therapies – which emerged in the past decade – stimulate the secretion of insulin to control blood sugar levels.

They are authorised f or use together with diet and exercise in patients with type II diabetes.

Now the European Medicines Agency is investigating the findings of the study. A spokesman said: ‘The agency has not reached any conclusion on this investigation.

‘There is currently no change to the recommendations on the use of these medicines and no need for patients to stop taking their medicines.’

It said doctors should continue to prescribe the medicines in accordance with the product information.

The EMA said effects on the pancreas were identified as a possible risk for these medicines during their initial evaluation before they were authorised for use.

But cases of pancreatitis linked to the drugs in patients have been rare.

The Irish Medicines Board said patients with any concerns should speak to their doctor.

A spokesman said: ‘There is currently no change to the recommendations on the use of these medicines and no need for patients to stop taking their medicines.’

Anna Clarke, of Diabetes Ireland, said: ‘These classes of drugs are relatively new to the market. As with all therapies, they are closely monitored. Monitoring of therapies should be welcomed.’