Abu Dhabi: Two new types of medication that help reduce appetite among obese diabetics and in some cases serve as a substitute for insulin have been recently introduced to the UAE, Gulf News has learnt.
Up to 50 patients across the UAE have tried the new injectable exenatide and several hundred have used the Dipeptidyl Peptidase4 Inhibitor (DPP-4), a new tablet which helps increase the blood glucose and insulin secretion from the body.
According to Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Medical & Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), both drugs are approved by the Ministry of Health. Professor Karim Meeran, Professor of Endocrinology and Lead Clinician at the ICLDC, told Gulf News that the therapy can be used on its own or with insulin.
