A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, published in JAMA, evaluated metformin’s efficacy for knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 108 overweight or obese adults (BMI ≥25 kg/m², mean age ~60 years) with symptomatic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3). Conducted over 18 months, patients received metformin (up to 2g daily) or placebo alongside standard care. Primary outcomes were changes in knee pain (WOMAC pain score, 0-20 scale) and cartilage volume loss (via MRI). Secondary outcomes included physical function (WOMAC function score), weight loss, and safety.
The impending loss of exclusivity for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, in 2026 is poised to transform the anti-obesity medication (AOM) market, particularly in countries like India, China, Canada, Brazil, and Turkey, which represent 40% of the global population and 33% of adults with obesity. With combined sales of $26 billion in 2024 and a 40% annual growth rate, semaglutide’s patent expiration in these markets will introduce off-patent versions, intensifying competition and reshaping treatment landscapes. In India, over ten companies are developing off-patent semaglutide, with seven focusing on oral formulations to differentiate from injectables. China sees 17 candidates in advanced trials, leveraging its manufacturing prowess, while partnerships, like Biocon’s with Biomm in Brazil, signal global expansion efforts.
Treatment options for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are limited. Canagliflozin, a sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, is approved for T2DM in adults but requires evaluation in younger populations. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in children and adolescents with T2DM.
Metformin, a cornerstone therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, is highly effective but poses a risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA), a rare yet potentially fatal complication, particularly in patients with impaired renal function. This case report details an 88-year-old female with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III who presented with severe lactic acidosis and encephalopathy amid acute kidney injury and a recent infection.
Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health burden, particularly among aging populations. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a cornerstone therapy, reducing HF hospitalizations and mortality. However, their adverse drug events (ADEs), such as dehydration, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and renal impairment, necessitate comprehensive evaluation to optimize their use in clinical practice, especially in Japan where prescription trends are evolving.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist, was evaluated for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the SURPASS-CVOT trial (NCT04554433), the first head-to-head comparison of two incretin therapies. This phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial compared Mounjaro to Trulicity (dulaglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist with proven cardiovascular benefits in the REWIND study.
