This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
HbA1c reduction greater with liraglutide vs. exenatide
HbA1c was significantly reduced with once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg compared with exenatide 10 µg twice per day, study findings in Australia show.
Further, a shorter duration of nausea was found with liraglutide (Novo Nordisk) compared with exenatide (AstraZeneca), researchers wrote.
Stephen Twigg, PhD, FRACP, Kellion Professor of Endocrinology at Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of three liraglutide 1.2 mg once-daily and 10 exenatide twice-daily placebo-controlled trials to compare the effects of each therapy on clinical outcomes.
Liraglutide revealed a significantly greater estimated mean placebo-adjusted reduction in HbA1c compared with exenatide. Fasting plasma glucose levels decreased from baseline in both groups; however, liraglutide was associated with a significantly greater mean placebo-adjusted reduction compared with exenatide. The overall incidence of adverse events and odds of experiencing a hypoglycemic episode were similar between groups. No significant difference was found between the groups for rate of nausea; however, data revealed fewer patients treated with liraglutide experienced nausea compared with exenatide (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.41-1.61). Liraglutide also was associated with a shorter mean adjusted-difference in duration of nausea compared with exenatide. Withdrawal was significantly lower among the liraglutide group compared with the exenatide group (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22-0.52).
“Liraglutide 1.2 mg provided statistically significantly greater mean HbA1c reduction from baseline compared with exenatide 10 µg [twice daily], although the clinical relevance of the difference is unclear,” the researchers wrote. “Statistically significant advantages over exenatide were also observed for mean FPG reduction from baseline, duration of nausea and odds of withdrawal from the study. The [glucagon-like peptide-1] receptor agonist class of incretin therapies demonstrates effective glycemic management of patients with [type 2 diabetes]; within-class differences appear to be important.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: Twigg reports being a paid consultant on the Novo Nordisk advisory board. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.