15 March 2002 News Update

NEW DIABETES TRIAL

The largest worldwide diabetes prevention study will start recruiting in New Zealand within the next few months.

The Navigator study involving people with impaired glucose tolerance, will investigate diabetes prevention and reduction in cardiovascular disease, using nateglinide (Starlix).

The study will run for five years in about 40 countries, with results expected around 2007.

Nateglinide, a novel agent that reduces mealtime glucose spikes, was approved late last year by the Ministry of Health for use in type 2 diabetes. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, and has a rapid on-off action.

Nateglinide causes an increased first-phase insulin response to meals, and targets post-prandial hyperglycaemia, shown in epidemiological studies to be most strongly associated with death and cardiovascular disease.

Most people with type 2 diabetes experience post-prandial glucose spikes which, long-term, can also lead to eye, kidney and nerve damage.

Starlix is indicated for initial monotherapy, and in combination with metformin, for patients whose blood glucose is uncontrolled by diet and exercise. It has a mealtime dosing regime and is taken from one to 30 minutes before three main meals.

Back to welcome page

Back to news archives