Preventing Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease
Preventing Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease
Drug Combo May Help Avoid Precursor to Kidney Disease
The drug combination group fared best, with 5.7% developing persistent microalbuminaria, compared with 6% of the Mavik group. However almost double (12%) the number of people with type 2 diabetes taking verapamil, and 10% of the placebo group developed microalbuminuria. Serious side effects were similar among the treatment groups.
In a second five-year study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researcher Anthony Barnett, MD, of England's University of Birmingham, found that another drug, Micardis, which is an ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker), performed as well as the ACE inhibitor Vasotec at protecting people with type 2 diabetes against a more advanced, yet still early form, of kidney dysfunction.
ARBs are similar blood pressure medications to ACE inhibitors, yet rather than blocking the formation of hormones, which can increase blood pressure, they block receptors where the hormones work to cause vessel constriction.
However, patients will need to do more than take pills, says Mitch. They should have their blood pressure, albumin, and glucose monitored, lose extra weight, exercise regularly, and, if blood pressure is a problem, limit dietary salt and possibly use a diuretic, he writes.
Preventing Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease
Drug Combo May Help Avoid Precursor to Kidney Disease
The drug combination group fared best, with 5.7% developing persistent microalbuminaria, compared with 6% of the Mavik group. However almost double (12%) the number of people with type 2 diabetes taking verapamil, and 10% of the placebo group developed microalbuminuria. Serious side effects were similar among the treatment groups.
In a second five-year study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researcher Anthony Barnett, MD, of England's University of Birmingham, found that another drug, Micardis, which is an ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker), performed as well as the ACE inhibitor Vasotec at protecting people with type 2 diabetes against a more advanced, yet still early form, of kidney dysfunction.
ARBs are similar blood pressure medications to ACE inhibitors, yet rather than blocking the formation of hormones, which can increase blood pressure, they block receptors where the hormones work to cause vessel constriction.
However, patients will need to do more than take pills, says Mitch. They should have their blood pressure, albumin, and glucose monitored, lose extra weight, exercise regularly, and, if blood pressure is a problem, limit dietary salt and possibly use a diuretic, he writes.
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