The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new medication called Synjardy XR for adults with type 2 diabetes. This pill combines two diabetes drugs: empagliflozin and extended-release metformin. It is taken once a day and is meant to be used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control. The approval provides a new option for patients who may benefit from both medicines in a single daily dose, which could make it easier to stick to a treatment plan.
Synjardy XR is for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes, because it may increase the risk of a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. The medication also has additional approved uses for certain people with heart or kidney disease. Specifically, it can help reduce the risk of death from heart problems in adults with established heart disease, and it can lower the risk of heart failure hospitalizations and kidney disease progression in some patients.
This approval is important because it gives doctors and patients another tool to manage diabetes and related health risks. However, it is not a cure for diabetes, and it does not replace the need for a healthy lifestyle. Before starting this medicine, doctors should check kidney function and fluid levels to make sure it is safe for each patient.
If you have type 2 diabetes and are interested in this new option, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if Synjardy XR is right for you based on your medical history and current health. Always follow your doctor's advice about your diabetes care.
