FDA Warnings on Sodium Glucose Inhibitor Diabetes Medications
Sodium-glucose
co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor drugs are a new class of diabetes
treatment commonly referred to as sodium-glucose inhibitors. There are
many drugs found in this category. This new drug class facilitates
glucose re-absorption in the kidneys and increases excretion of blood
glucose in the patient’s urine.
Weight
loss and reversing hypoglycemia are common in diabetic patients using
sodium glucose inhibitors. They may also reduce blood pressure. This
class of diabetes medicine received a warning from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). It is taken once daily to lower AC1 or blood
sugar levels. Sodium-glucose inhibitor drugs are manufactured by many
pharmacology companies.
This
new type of medicine works well for many diabetics. This could be
younger and healthier patients. The age and general health of the
patient influence the number and type of negative reactions. Older
patients may experience more severe symptoms. The medicine’s stated side
effects include genital fungal infections, increased LDL, increased
urination, higher rates of urinary tract infections, dehydration,
fractures, and low blood pressure. There is also a risk of bladder
cancer. The fractures could appear after as little as three months of
the drug. This drug class also reduced bone density along the spine and
hip area.
The
FDA notice states that sodium glucose inhibitors for type 2 diabetes
known as may lead to ketoacidosis. Warning signs for high levels of
ketones in the blood include trouble breathing, abdominal pain,
vomiting, nausea, confusion, and extreme fatigue.
This
is a serious condition which damages the kidneys and causes high levels
of blood acids or ketones in the body. The skin area covering the
kidneys and liver may be inflamed and painful. This can result in heart
attacks, kidney failure, ketosis, or death. Patients with liver and
kidney problems should avoid this medication.
An
issue for any drug’s warnings is based upon the length of the clinical
trials used for the FDA drug multi-stage approval process. Many symptoms
may not surface until after the drug has been taken for a longer time
period than the duration of the clinical trial.
The
average monthly price for this class of medication is approximate $400
per month. This high price creates issues for older people on social
security or fixed incomes. Online information states that the wholesale
price of the drug is $8.77 a pill, leading to pricing without co-pays or
coverage about $11.40 a pill. It can found online at Targets and other
retail drugstores for about $379 a month.
These
medicines can be located for those without health insurance. Some
doctors offer free samples. Due to the high cost of this medicine, many
people may have difficulty affording sodium glucose inhibitors.
The
medicine is part of a prescription assistance plan delivering pricing
of 4 months free followed by up to one year of $5 per month. The
Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps to qualify people without
prescription drug coverage to access free or almost free medicines.
Another similar program delivering low-cost or free drugs includes RX
Hope. People on Medicaid, Medicare, federal and state healthcare plans,
or Tricare are excluded from free and affordable price offers by several
drug firms.
©2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Dr. Rebecca Stone SpeedyReads.com
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