FDA approves a new once-daily pill for type 2 diabetes that may also help protect the heart and kidneys.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new pill called dapagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride extended-release. It is a once-daily combination of two medicines for adults with type 2 diabetes. Its main job is to help control blood sugar levels when used along with a healthy diet and exercise. The dapagliflozin part of the pill has an added benefit. For patients who also have certain heart or kidney conditions, it can help lower the risk of serious problems like heart attack, worsening heart failure, or kidney disease getting worse. This means the pill can work on managing diabetes while also offering potential protection for the heart and kidneys for those who qualify. It is important to know this medicine is not for everyone. It is not for people with type 1 diabetes, a certain type of kidney disease called polycystic kidney disease, or for some patients who have recently had treatment for kidney disease. The most important step for anyone interested in this new treatment is to have a detailed conversation with their doctor. A doctor can review a patient's full health history to see if this option is a good and safe fit for their individual needs.