Jentadueto diabetes pill launched in the UK

A new drug treatment for type 2 diabetes that combines metformin with the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin in a single tablet is now available in the UK.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly’s combination drug Jentadueto is designed to improve blood glucose control, alongside a healthy diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes who are unable to control their condition with metformin alone or metformin and a sulphonylurea, or those already being treated with the combination of linagliptin and metformin .
Jentadueto was approved in Europe in July following data from Phase III clinical trials, which showed that a twice-daily dose of the oral medication (2.5mg linagliptin/1000mg metformin) caused a significant reduction in blood sugar levels, compared to use of metformin (1000mg twice-daily) or linagliptin (5mg once-daily).
In addition, the single-pill treatment did not cause any significant change in body weight and was generally well-tolerated.
Speaking earlier this month, Professor Klaus Dugin, Corporate Senior Vice President of Medicine at Boehringer, said: “We’re delighted that linagliptin/metformin hydrochloride (HCl) will soon be available across Europe to help people with type 2 diabetes .
“Many patients need more than one treatment to adequately manage their diabetes. Linagliptin/metformin hydrochloride (HCl) offers a simplified, single tablet dosing option, to improve glycaemic control and with a favourable side effect profile.”