Two-in-one type 2 diabetes drug approved by FDA

A drug developed to treat type 2 diabetes has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to improve blood sugar control.
How does Glyxambi work?
Glyxambi is a once-daily two-in-one tablet that combines empagliflozin and linaglipti, two existing diabetes treatments manufactured by Eli Lilly and private partner Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Glyxambi treats type 2 diabetes by forcing excess glucose out through urine, rather than letting it get absorbed by the kidneys, and increasing the capacity of hormones to produce more insulin and less glucose.
In a study funded by Boehringer and Eli Lilly, type 2 diabetic patients taking Glyxambi over 24 weeks had improved HbA1c readings (6.9 per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively for 10/5 mg and 25/5 mg doses) than when treated individually with empagliflozin and linagliptin.
Urinary tract infections have been a side effect of the drug, with other adverse effects including nasal inflammation and upper respiratory tract infections.
The drugmakers announced the FDA approval on February 2 2015 and believe Glyxambi will be beneficial to type 2 diabetics who have problems keeping control of their blood sugar levels. The drug cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes.
“Half of people with type 2 diabetes do not achieve recommended blood sugar control, making new treatment options more important than ever,” said Mike Maso, Eli Lilly diabetes division vice president.