More Warnings From The FDA About Diabetes Drugs

DPP-4 Inhibitors Linked To Severe Joint Pain

On Friday August 28, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a class of commonly used diabetes prescription medications. The warning reports severe joint pain in many patients using the medication. A warning and precaution is being added to the labels of all drugs in this class.

The class of drugs is called DPP-4 inhibitors. Some of the names that may be recognizable include Januvia, Onglyza, Tradjenta and Nesina. These drugs are used alone or in conjunction with other type 2 diabetes drugs. They force the body to increase insulin production to improve blood sugar. Unfortunately not only are patients risking side effects such as severe joint pain but also the consequence of increased insulin resistance and organ stress. As the body becomes more insulin resistant, the more type 2 diabetes progresses.

If you are looking for even more detailed information on the issues surrounding diabetes drugs click here.

DPP-4 Inhibitors and Cancer

This is not the first warning for this class of drugs. There have been warnings issued about the increase risk of pancreatic and thyroid cancer for Januvia users. Multiple studies have made a connection between these drugs and cancer.
• Regulatory Peptides 2006 Dec 10;137(3):147-55
• Physiol. Res. 57: 443-449, 2008
• Clinical and Experimental Metastasis 2008;25(7):765-76
• Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice May 2010; 88(2): 125-131
• Gastroentorology July 2011;141(1):150-6
• DocGuide.com, Gastroentorology July 2011
Some of other common side effects of these medications include low blood sugar, hives, rash, pancreatitis and swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat.

Type 2 Diabetes Is Reversible

Is it worth the risk taking these drugs? There are pros and cons to every medication that you put in your body. I see more and more people coming in to my office because they no longer want to risk taking medications. They want to take control of their health, reverse their diabetes and stop popping and praying. Patients like Tom, who lowered his A1C from 8.7 to 5.8, lost 30 lbs and eliminated all of his medications in just 4 months.

If you are struggling with pain, discomfort, or any health condition - please call or visit us here at Living Health Integrative Medicine today.