NICE recommends three type 2 drugs

By Editor
27th May 2016
Latest news, NICE Self management

Final guidance recommending three drugs which could be used to treat type 2 diabetes has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Forxiga) and empagliflozin (Jardiance) can all be used on their own if a person is unable to use metformin or diet and exercise is not working.

It is thought that around 31,000 people might be eligible for the newly recommended treatments.

NICE said the cost of a course of treatment over one year with each drug is around £475.

Around 3 million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes. An estimated 31,000 people may be eligible for the three recommended treatments.

‘Serious impact’

The cost of a course of treatment over one year with each drug is around £475.

Professor Carole Longson, director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said: “Type 2 diabetes is long-term condition that has a serious impact on people who live with it, and the treatments given should be tailored for the individual.

“For many people whose blood glucose levels aren’t controlled by diet and exercise alone, metformin is the first drug treatment that they’ll be offered.

“But some people may experience nausea and diarrhoea, and they may not be able to take it if they have kidney damage.

“For people who can’t take a sulfonylurea or pioglitazone, then the three drugs recommended in this guidance can be considered.  This is as an alternative to the separate group of drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

“The committee agreed that people with diabetes and their clinicians would value having an additional treatment option to help manage their type 2 diabetes – which this positive guidance provides.”

Adults currently receiving NHS treatment with canagliflozin, dapagliflozin or empagliflozin on its own that is not recommended for them in this guidance should be able to continue treatment until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop.

Comments (0)

Register an account or login to comment