JDC monthly diabetes newsletter. Issue 111 January 2018.

7. Drug Updates

Ertugliflozin Receives FDA Approval for Type 2 Diabetes

The FDA has approved three new medicines containing the SGLT2 inhibitor Ertugliflozin for improving glycemic control in adults with T2D. These include Steglatro (oral ertugliflozin) and the fixed-dose combinations Steglujan (ertugliflozin and sitagliptin) and Segluromet (ertugliflozin and metformin).

Steglatro: indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2D.

Steglujan: indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2D when treatment with both ertugliflozin and sitagliptin is appropriate.

Segluromet: indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2D who are not adequately controlled on a regimen containing ertugliflozin or metformin, or in patients who are already treated with both ertugliflozin and metformin.

These approvals are based on the results from the studies in the VERTIS clinical development program of ertugliflozin, including VERTIS MONO, VERTIS Factorial and VERTIS SITA2. The three formulations are expected to be available in the market in early 2018.

Read More

Combination Insulin Ryzodeg Reduces Hypoglycemia Risk During Fasting

The results of the 'Ramadan trial' shows that in T2D individuals who fast during Ramadan, Ryzodeg reduced the overall rate of hypoglycaemia including severe episodes by 62% and the rate of nocturnal hypoglycaemia by 74% versus BIAsp 30. The ‘Ramadan trial’ looked into the efficacy and safety of the Ryzodeg twice daily and BIAsp 30 (NovoMix) twice daily in subjects with T2D before, during and after Ramadan.

Ryzodeg is a combination of two distinct insulin analogues (70% insulin degludec and 30% insulin aspart), making it the first combination of a basal insulin with an ultra-long duration of action and offers a simpler regimen with fewer injections than basal and bolus therapy, in one pen.

Ryzodeg is not only a simple treatment option which can make daily life easier for people with diabetes, it also reduces the risk of potentially dangerous episodes of hypoglycaemia in people with T2D who choose to fast during Ramadan.

Read More