FDA Approves Takeda’s Diabetes Combo

Takeda’s US subsidiary has received FDA approval for its new drug application for Duetact in type 2 diabetes.

Duetact combines Actos (pioglitazone HCl) and glimepiride, two widely used diabetes medications with complementary actions, in a single tablet. This brings together Actos’ ability to directly target insulin resistance and glimepiride’s ability to increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas.

Takeda believes that combining these medications may provide patients with an easier way to take the two drugs, as diabetic patients are often prescribed multiple medications to help manage the disease.

Duetact will be available in two commonly used dosages of pioglitazone and glimepiride to be taken once daily – 30mg/2mg and 30mg/4mg. Takeda expects the medication to be available to patients later this year.