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Living with diabetes can be managed by proper medication. However, you may have questions regarding the medications available to you. Here, we will take a closer look at two medications, Ozempic and Saxenda, so that you can see how these medications can impact your health. A CLOSER LOOK AT DIABETES Diabetes can be divided into two categories, type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder and is commonly diagnosed in children. Individuals with T1D require lifelong insulin treatment to manage their diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed later in life due to genetics, lifestyle, and other risk factors. Unlike T1D, there are numerous treatment options other than insulin therapy to manage type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS A common drug class used to treat type 2 diabetes is glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonists work by lowering blood glucose and slowing gastric emptying. Benefits of using a GLP-1 receptor agonist include: weight loss, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) benefits, lowering A1C values, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) benefits with little risk of hypoglycemia. Common GLP-1 receptor agonist side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and injection site reactions. GLP-1 receptor agonists should not be used in patients with a personal or a family history of medullary thyroid cancer.

The number of people in England identified as at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased by over half a million within a year, according to NHS figures. Data released by the National Diabetes Audit on June 12 showed that 3.6 million people registered with a GP were found to have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (also known as pre-diabetes) in 2023, compared with 3.1 million people in 2022 - a notable 18 per cent increase or nearly 550,000 people. Among those under 40 years old, the figures showed an increase of almost 25 per cent from 173,166 in 2022 to 216,440 in 2023. People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, and they are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Typically, this condition is detected through routine blood tests at GP surgeries.

In partnership with the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) has recently established an innovative cardiometabolic clinic. The clinic focuses on reducing cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes who have recently been discharged from LTHT following a heart attack. It is delivered jointly by the cardiology department at Leeds General Infirmary and the diabetes services at the Trust. This is a patient-centred approach to reducing that risk, with pharmacist-delivered clinics scheduled for six to eight weeks after the heart attack. Stephen Wheatcroft, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at LTHT, said: "This is an exciting and innovative development, one of the first in the country. Previously, Type 2 diabetic patients presenting with heart issues would have been treated by two separate specialty teams. This is the first time there has been a specific clinic combining the cardiac and diabetes team working together. "We aim to reduce the risk for patients, with earlier multidisciplinary hospital care, to help discharged patients achieve better diabetes control, through improved medication support and optimisation, reducing the need for further treatment and future hospital stays. Overall, it will mean a better patient experience, with improved monitoring and information about treatment options, along with a reduction in waiting times for review in a specialist clinic."