New drugs for type 2 diabetes have become extremely popular in recent years. One, Januvia, earned more than $4 billion last year. But questions have been raised about whether drugs like Januvia, Onglyza and Nesina might increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Study on Januvia and Heart Risk
A new study of over 14,000 people with type 2 diabetes found that Januvia was no more likely to be associated with death from heart attacks or strokes than placebo.
It was also no less likely to cause such problems or hospitalization for angina or heart failure. In other words, Januvia does not appear to protect people with diabetes from cardiovascular complications.
In previous studies, Onglyza and Nesina were equally unlikely to protect against heart attacks and strokes. Since these are two of the primary causes of death for people with diabetes, it is disappointing that the new medications did not make much, if any, difference in these critical outcomes.
