Type 2 Diabetes Management

FDA approves new type 2 diabetes management drug combo

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Lu Young RN

Many diabetics also have problems with cholesterol and now the FDA approves new type 2 diabetes management drug combo. 

U.S. health regulators approved a new combination therapy for type 2 diabetes from Merck & Co, the first to combine a diabetes drug with cholesterol-lowering medicine in one tablet.

Merck’s new drug Juvisync combines the drugmaker’s diabetes medicine Januvia, which helps lower high blood sugar levels, with simvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin that helps lower cholesterol alongside diet and exercise.

About 20 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and many of them also have high cholesterol levels. The conditions can lead to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness, especially if left untreated or poorly treated, the Food and Drug Association said.

The American Diabetes Association guidelines recommend statin therapy for anyone who has both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, regardless of cholesterol levels. They also recommend statins for anyone older than 40 with diabetes and with cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure.

Merck’s experts have estimated that 6 million to 8 million of the type 2 diabetics who should be on a statin have not been receiving that therapy — a gap that the company hopes to fill with the single-tablet Juvisync.

“Although clinical guidelines put people with diabetes at the same risk level as those with coronary heart disease, nearly 40 percent of eligible patients do not receive statin treatment,” Dr. Barry Goldstein, Merck’s vice president for diabetes and endocrinology, said in a statement. “We are proud to bring forward a treatment option that can help address this important health issue.”

Click here to view the original source of this post

Expected side effects of this medication combo, are stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea or constipation, sore throat, headache, nausea, and stomach pain.  Some side effects can be serious and should be reported to your doctor immediately and these are:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• dark red urine
• lack of energy, tiredness, or weakness
• fever or chills
• flushing
• blisters
• rash
• hives or itching
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• sensitivity to light

Click here to view the original source of this post

Check with your insurance company and doctor or GP if you already take both Januvia and simvastatin to see if this new medication combo is right for you.

The FDA approves new type 2 diabetes management drug combo and perhaps this move will save you money.  Perhaps this new type 2 diabetes management drug combo will also help you remember to take your medications since you are only taking one pill instead of two.