- Combination of linagliptin and metformin significantly reduced blood glucose levels compared with linagliptin alone

 

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --  The U.S. Prescribing Information for Jentadueto® (linagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) tablets now includes clinical trial data that showed linagliptin co-administered with metformin provided statistically significant decreases in blood glucose compared with linagliptin alone in treatment-naive* adults with type 2 diabetes and high baseline A1C levels (A1C of > /=8.5 to < /=12.0 percent). Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that the data, based on results from a prospective 24-week phase IV clinical trial, have been added to the "Clinical Studies" section of the JENTADUETO U.S. Prescribing Information.

 

"We are extremely pleased with the addition to the JENTADUETO label. These data support the use of JENTADUETO as an initial type 2 diabetes treatment option in an important patient population - treatment-naive adults who have high baseline A1C levels," said Christophe Arbet-Engels, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, metabolic clinical development and medical affairs, BIPI. "In addition, these data reinforce the use of JENTADUETO, as an adjunct to diet and exercise, in helping adults with type 2 diabetes improve glycemic control."

 

The 24-week, randomized, double-blind study assessed the efficacy and safety of linagliptin (5 mg per day) in combination with metformin (1500 to 2000 mg per day; n=159) vs. linagliptin (5 mg per day; n=157) alone in treatment-naive adults with type 2 diabetes and high baseline A1C (A1C of > /=8.5 to < /=12.0 percent).

 

The primary endpoint of the trial — change from baseline in A1C after 24 weeks — demonstrated that initial therapy with the combination of linagliptin and metformin reduced A1C levels from baseline by 2.9 percent compared with 2.0 percent for linagliptin alone. There was a statistically significant mean difference in A1C between the combination and linagliptin alone of -0.84 percent. Key secondary findings showed fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were significantly decreased with the combination treatment compared with linagliptin alone (54 mg/dL vs. 35 mg/dL, mean difference -18 mg/dL) and that a greater percentage of patients achieved an A1C less than 7 percent with the combination of linagliptin and metformin (54 percent) compared with linagliptin alone (30 percent). The percentage of patients with investigator-defined hypoglycemic events was similar between treatment arms (linagliptin and metformin, 1.9 percent; linagliptin, 3.2 percent).

 

*note: Treatment-naive adults in this study were defined as adults with no antidiabetic therapy for 12 weeks prior to randomization.

 

Please see full Prescribing Information for JENTADUETO, including Boxed Warning regarding the risk of lactic acidosis, and Medication Guide.

 

About Linagliptin

Linagliptin, which is marketed as Tradjenta® (linagliptin) tablets in the U.S., is a once-daily, 5-mg tablet used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). TRADJENTA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. TRADJENTA has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

 

About Linagliptin/Metformin Hydrochloride

 

Linagliptin/metformin hydrochloride, which is marketed as Jentadueto® (linagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) tablets in the U.S., is a prescription medicine that contains two diabetes medicines, linagliptin and metformin. JENTADUETO can be used along with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2D when treatment with both linagliptin and metformin is appropriate. JENTADUETO should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. JENTADUETO has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. The JENTADUETO label contains a Boxed Warning for the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare, but serious, complication that can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment with JENTADUETO.

 

JENTADUETO was approved based on clinical trials that evaluated linagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. Bioequivalence of JENTADUETO was demonstrated with co-administered linagliptin and metformin tablets in healthy subjects.

 

What is JENTADUETO?

JENTADUETO is a prescription medicine that contains 2 diabetes medicines, linagliptin and metformin. JENTADUETO can be used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes when treatment with both linagliptin and metformin is appropriate.

 

JENTADUETO is not for people with type 1 diabetes or for people with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).