Issue 128 Item 12 Metaglip® Approved for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Another New Combo Treatment Option for Type 2 Diabetes Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Metaglip™ (glipizide and metformin HCl Tablets) for use, along with diet and exercise, as initial drug therapy for people with type 2 diabetes whose hyperglycemia cannot be satisfactorily managed with diet and exercise alone.

Metaglip™ was also approved as second-line therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes who are currently taking either metformin or a sulfonylurea with a regimen of diet and exercise, but whose blood sugar levels are inadequately controlled. Metaglip combines glipizide and metformin HCl — two widely prescribed oral antidiabetic agents — in a single pill. These agents work in complementary fashion to improve blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In clinical trials, Metaglip was shown to be more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than either glipizide or metformin used alone in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Metaglip™ (glipizide and metformin HCl tablets) will be available in three dosage strengths, including 2.5 milligram/250 milligram (mg) (glipizide/metformin HCl) tablets, 2.5 mg/500 mg tablets, and 5 mg/500 mg tablets.