Can Do Ramadan
Many Muslims with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) choose to fast during the month of Ramadan. However, fasting during Ramadan increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (periods of time when the sugar in your blood is below the normal range), which can result in you feeling unwell or being admitted to hospital. Further risks include dehydration due to lack of fluid intake during the fasting period, dizzy spells and an increased risk of thrombosis (a blood clot inside a blood vessel).
It has been reported that only about 60% of patients with T2DM receive information about this from their health care providers before fasting. There are a number of new medicines available to people with T2DM that have a very low risk of hypoglycaemia and also appear to help reduce body weight. This is important as you may know that weight-loss helps with the management of diabetes. One such medicine is Invokana® (which is also known as Canagliflozin).
Invokana® (Canagliflozin) is an oral medication that is taken once a day. It is for people with T2DM and helps to lower the levels of sugar in the blood and does not increase body weight. This new drug works by increasing the amount of sugar that is passed out of the body in the urine. The Leicester Diabetes Centre is leading on an exciting new study called The ‘Can Do Ramadan’ study. This study is looking at the benefits of taking Invokana® (Canagliflozin) compared to other types of diabetes medication, such as the sulphonylureas (e.g., Gliclazide).
We want to see if Invokana® (Canagliflozin) is better at lowering/maintaining HbA1c (your long term blood sugar levels), maintaining your weight and reducing the chances of episodes of low blood sugar (i.e., hypoglycaemia, or ‘hypos’) for the duration of the study which will include one Ramadan.
The study involves a minimum of 4 visits between now and September 2018 to the Leicester Diabetes Centre at the LGH; the study team can reimburse you for your travel expenses of up to £10 per visit. Help with interpretation at these visits will be provided if necessary.