Insulin Analogs Safer For Older Diabetics

Published: March 4, 2021, 11:05 p.m.

 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/25t2xXLcdg4

 

The use of long-acting insulin analogs rather than NPH insulin reduces the risk of life-threatening hypoglycemia by nearly 30% for those in their 70s and older.  Researchers at the FDA report this finding after studying more than one-half million (575,008) diabetics 65 years and older.

 

Those diabetics using glargine, branded as Lantus, had a 29% lower risk of requiring an emergency hospitalization for hypoglycemia compared to matched controls taking NPH insulin.  The use of detemir, sold as Levemir, reduced the hypoglycemia risk 28%.

 

If you or a family member are a diabetic age 70 or older, a switch from NPH insulin to Lantus or Levemir appears to be the wise move.

 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2777049

 

#diabetes #hypoglycemia #nph #glargine #lantus #detemir