(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration today approved a medication that combines two common type 2 diabetes treatments.
This medication, Glyxambi, combines empagliflozin (brand name Jardiance) and linagliptin (Tradjenta) to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes patients. It was developed by Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.
"Half of people with type 2 diabetes do not achieve recommended blood sugar control, making new treatment options more important than ever," said Mike Mason, vice president of Eli Lilly's US diabetes division, in a press release.
In type 2 diabetes, patients' bodies cannot properly process insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. This can lead to uncontrolled blood sugar. Untreated diabetes can lead to health problems like kidney and heart disease.
Both of the medications that make up Glyxambi work to control blood sugar in the body. Empagliflozin keeps the kidney from reabsorbing sugar in the blood (glucose) and instead causes it to leave the body through urine. Linagliptin starts at the source by reducing the amount of glucose the liver produces and upping the body's insulin output.
The makers of Glyxambi tested the treatment and found that, combined with metformin, it improved blood sugar control in most patients. Metformin (brand names Glumetza and Riomet) is a common type 2 diabetes treatment.
Some patients who take Glyxambi may experience side effects. These include an inflamed pancreas, dehydration and yeast infections. Patients with severe kidney problems or those who are on dialysis should not take this medication.
