Two blood pressure medications, ENALAPRIL and LOSARTAN, were supposed to slow down the potential damage diabetes might do to kidney function, but results have been disappointing. However, an unexpected benefit has been shown in Type 1 diabetic patients taking the two drugs -- a 65-70% reduction in severity of retinopathy (eye damage).
According to Dr. Michael Mauer, a professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Minnesota who led the study, the drugs could be a boon to type 1 patients who have begun to experience eye damage. The only drawback to either drug, each of which has a very good safety record, is the possibility of fetal damage if they are taken during pregnancy. He added that whether the drugs will prove effective against eye damage in people with type 2 diabetes is unknown and will require a separate study.
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