8 Diabetes Drug Updates

January 17, 2020

Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin/metformin HCl, extended release). FDA expanded the indication for the 2 AstraZeneca SGLT2-inhibitor-based agents to include patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and moderate renal impairment.

Victoza (liraglutide). The NovoNordisk GLP-1 analog received an expaneded indication for treatment of T2D in children and adolescents aged 10-17 years--the first GLP-1 analog to receive such approval.

Baqsimi(glucagon powder) for intranasal delivery was approved for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia in persons aged 4 years and older; the Eli Lilly product is the first glucagon therapy that does not require an injection for administration.

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is the first oral GLP-1 analog treatment available for adults with T2D. The pill form offers an alternative GLP-1 analog treatment for patients who would prefer not to use an injectable medication.

Invokana (canagliflozin). The FDA granted an expanded indication for canagliflozin (Janssen) to reduce risk of end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular (CV) death, and hospitalization for heart failure (HF) in adults with T2D and diabetic nephropathy with albuminuria.

Gvoke (glucagon) is the first liquid glucagon product approved that can be administered via a prefilled syringe or auto-injector. It is indicated to treat severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes age ≥2 yrs.

Fiasp (insulin aspart injection). NovoNordisk was granted a label expansion for its Fiasp 100 u/mL to be used in insulin infusion pumps. It is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The rapid-acting insulin was originally approved in 2017 for multiple daily injections.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) was granted a second label expansion in 2019 reduce the risk of hospitalization for HF in adults with T2D and multiple CV risk factors or established CV disease.

The year 2020 comes primed with 2019's approvals and expanded indications for drugs to treat patients with diabetes. From novel formulations of and delivery mechanisms for glucagon for hypoglycemia to indications for renal and cardiovascular protection for sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, the options available to help optimize diabetes care continue to expand.Review 8 of the important updates from 2019 in the short slide show below.