Danish Drug Improves Blood Sugar Control in Type 2s

Danish pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk’s drug Ryzodeg, which includes two different insulin products, has been shown to significantly lower rates of hypoglycemia and has led to improved blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes compared to those taking a single insulin, according to the results of a new study.

The drug is a combination of two different insulins, insulin degludec, a once-a-day basal insulin and insulin aspart, a mealtime insulin, and is injected twice daily using a pen applicator.

It was studied over a 26-week period and results were compared to those of a twice-daily single insulin.

Researchers said that those taking Ryzodeg saw lower blood sugar rates overall, along with as much as an 80 percent decrease in instances of hypoglycemia than those taking a single mealtime insulin.

“Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and many patients who are uncontrolled with basal insulin need to add mealtime insulin to achieve or maintain their glycemic targets over time. As Ryzodeg is a combination of two distinct insulins, a basal insulin with a long and steady action profile and a well-established mealtime insulin, it is a simple way for patients to add mealtime control with a reduced risk of overall and nocturnal confirmed, and severe hypoglycemia,” said lead investigator Gregory Fulcher of Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Data was presented earlier this month at the World Diabetes Congress of the International Diabetes Federation in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ryzodeg was approved for use to treat diabetes in Europe and the United Kingdom early last year, but in the United States, the FDA rejected Novo Nordisk’s application for approval for the drug in February, and called for more study on the cardiovascular risks and safety of the drug.