New Diabetes Rx Gets FDA Go-Ahead

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new medication to treat type 2 diabetes.

That new medication is Xultophy, which contains insulin degludec and liraglutide.

Insulin degludec/liraglutide is to be given in combination with a diet and exercise program to lower blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes. This medication is approved to treat those whose diabetes is not controlled on a specific amount of basal insulin or liraglutide.

Xultophy received approval after three clinical trials showed its effectiveness in lowering a marker for average blood sugar levels called A1C.

This medication is available as an injection and is to be injected under the skin of the thigh, upper arm or stomach once a day.

Insulin degludec/liraglutide is not approved for those with type 1 diabetes or those who currently have diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which there are large amounts of ketone in the blood or urine.

The most common reported side effects of this medication include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, infections in the upper respiratory tract, nausea and diarrhea.

Serious side effects may occur in some people who take this medication. Those effects include potentially cancerous thyroid tumors.

This medication is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and is expected to be available in the first half of 2017.