In Australia, nearly two thirds of men and half of all women are overweight or obese. This is a key factor in the alarming rise of type 2 diabetes. Yet up to 60 per cent of diabetes cases could be prevented, or at least delayed, by people maintaining a healthy weight. The main keys to long-term weight loss and reducing your waist measurement are healthy eating and regular physical activity.

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Article from Diabetes Australia

A new medication is available in Australia for people with type 2 diabetes. BYETTA (exenatide) is a new agent in a new class of drugs which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for registration in Australia.

BYETTA is an injectable medication used to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can be used with metformin and/or a sulfonylurea. National President of Diabetes Australia Dr Gary Deed said, “This is a promising addition to treatment options for some people with type 2 diabetes but as with all new agents, time will be required to assess its place in management and its long term safety.”

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Source: Diabetes Australia

On 21st May 2007 the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a new analysis which highlighted the possibility of increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes) through the use of rosiglitazone (AVANDIA) by people with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Australia is closely monitoring the situation. It is important to note that the report is based on a preliminary study, which by its design cannot be definitive. The authors of the recently published study themselves state that it has important limitations and the results have ‘considerable uncertainty about the magnitude of observed hazard’.

Diabetes management should be monitored and assessed on an individual basis through consultation between patient and doctor. However Diabetes Australia suggests that people with type 2 diabetes who take rosiglitazone (AVANDIA) should not stop using this medication until they have discussed their ongoing use of this medication individually with their GP or specialist. If a decision is then made to discontinue rosiglitazone (AVANDIA), alternative treatments to maintain diabetes control will need to be considered.

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