Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which of the following agents would be most useful for a 32-year-old female with new-onset type 2 diabetes to lose weight?

1. Pioglitazone

2. Dulaglutide

3. Glimepiride

4. Nateglinide

The correct answer is: Dulaglutide

Dulaglutide is an effective choice for a 32-year-old female with new-onset type 2 diabetes who is also looking to lose weight. As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, dulaglutide not only helps to lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion in response to meals but also promotes weight loss. GLP-1 receptor agonists work by increasing feelings of satiety, which can lead to reduced appetite and caloric intake. This mechanism can be particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes who also struggle with obesity or overweight, addressing both glycemic control and weight management simultaneously. In contrast, other options such as pioglitazone are associated with weight gain as they can lead to fluid retention and increased fat accumulation. Glimepiride and nateglinide are sulfonylureas and meglitinides, respectively, which primarily focus on increasing insulin secretion but do not have weight loss as a side effect; in fact, these agents can also potentially lead to weight gain. Therefore, dulaglutide stands out as the most suitable choice in this scenario due to its dual benefits for diabetes management and weight reduction.