Paper Example on Incretin Mimetics Drug

Introduction

GLP-1 agonists are a newly injectable drug commonly known as incretin mimetics. It will be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for patients who are unable to control their conditions using tablet medication. These drugs work by mimicking the functions of the natural incretin hormones within their body. Incretin mimetics help to control the blood glucose by stimulation of insulin and inhibition of glucagon. The incretin mimetics drug will, therefore, be helpful to diabetic patients in various ways. One, it will increase the secretion of insulin from the pancreas after a meal since it is taken before. Two, it will reduce the amount of glucagon secreted by the pancreas (Baggio, 2011). Three, it will help in reducing the speed of emptying food into the intestines. For this reason, there is a reduction in food intake and can lead to weight loss. These effects are usually in direct response to the presence of carbohydrates in the gut, and the chance of significant hypoglycemia occurring is unlikely or rare, unless when used in combination with other hypoglycemic drugs. The drug also leads to an increase in proliferation of pancreatic beta cells.

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Incretin mimetics are a drug strictly for type 2 diabetes. There are several side effects that may be accompanied while using the drug. These may include increased sweating, blurred vision, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, indigestion, constipation, and loss of appetite. If these symptoms are experienced for a longer time, it is important to consult your doctor or visit a health center. It is also possible to experience severe abdominal pain though rare. If this occurs, it could be a symptom of pancreatic inflammation, and it is essential to inform your doctor (Nadkarni, 2014) immediately. While under the incretin mimetics dose, alcohol consumption should be avoided since alcohol increases the risk of pancreatic inflammation. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should seek their doctor's advice on the use of the incretin mimetics drug. In case a patient is consuming other drugs or is allergic to any drugs, it is as well crucial informing your doctor.

Conclusion

Various benefits have been associated with using the incretin mimetics drug. One of the benefits is the ability of the drug to lower the level of blood glucose that in turn help reduce the patient's HbA1c. This is usually by their ability to imitate the functions of the natural incretin hormones. The drug helps the pancreas to make the right amount of insulin to move the blood sugar from the blood into the cells where it is then used as energy. The drug reduces the amount of sugar in the body by the liver. The drug also slows the process of digestion thus ensuring that blood sugar levels are not very high (Sokos, 2011). Another benefit related to the incretin mimetics drug is that it helps in weight loss. When used carefully with diet and exercise, the drug has been proved to cause loss of weight.

There are various risks associated with the incretin mimetics drug. One, there is an increased risk of getting pancreatitis in the long run. While using the drug, abdominal pain can be experienced. It is important you consult your doctor and stop using the incretin mimetics drug (Nauck, 2013). Two, extended use of the drug can lead to harmful diseases such as pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. Three, there is an increased likelihood of pancreatic inflammation.

References

Baggio, L. L. (2011). Biology of incretins: GLP-1 and GIP. Gastroenterology, 2131-2157.

Nadkarni, P. C. (2014). Regulation of glucose homeostasis by GLP-1. In Progress in molecular biology and translational science. Academic Press

Nauck, M. A. (2013). Do GLP-1-based therapies increase cancer risk?. Diabetes care, 245-252.

Sokos, G. G. (2011). Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on glycemic control and left ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. American Journal of Cardiology, 824-829.

Sokos, G. G., Bolukoglu, H., German, J., Hentosz, T., Magovern, G. J., Maher, T. D., ... & Elahi, D. (2007). Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on glycemic control and left ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. (n.d.).