The FDA made history last month by approving the first-ever triple combination pill for type 2 diabetes. This medication can help simplify the medication regimen for people living with type 2 diabetes.

As the director of the diabetes research unit at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD, said, “Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease that often requires the use of multiple antidiabetic medications to improve glycemic control. Having three different diabetes medications in a single tablet is an important advance in diabetes treatment.”

Known as Trijardy XR, this medication combines the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin, the DPP-IV inhibitor linagliptin, and metformin extended-release. Both empagliflozin and linagliptin lower blood glucose and empagliflozin has the added benefit of reducing the risk of cardiovascular death and chronic heart failure for those living with cardiovascular disease or chronic heart failure.

Additionally, a trial that was presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions by Healio found that linagliptin will not increase the risk for a cardiovascular event, nor will it contribute to the progression of renal disease among people with type 2 diabetes. This trial, known as the CARMELINA trial, was conducted over six years, across a group of 6,000 people. The trial demonstrated that no “between-group differences for the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke and CV death during a median of 6 years.”

• Trijardy XR will be available in four dosages:
• 5 mg empagliflozin/2.5 mg linagliptin/1,000 mg metformin ER
• 10 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin/1,000 mg metformin ER
• 12.5 mg empagliflozin/2.5 mg linagliptin/1,000 mg metformin ER
• 25 mg empagliflozin/5 mg linagliptin/1,000 mg metformin ER.

There is no information on pricing as of yet. Read more about Trijardy here.

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