Therapharma launches new drug versus diabetes

Beefing up its cardiometabolic therapeutic armamentarium, Therapharma, a division of Unilab, celebrated the first anniversary of Norizec (glimepiride) with the launch of the country’s first and only combination of glipizide and metformin, recently.

With the theme, "Stronger together: A salute to power and partnership," the launch of the oral combination medicine, will help Filipinos achieve better glycemic control and help prevent complications of diabetes.

According to Dr. Rodolfo Paoletti, president of the International Atherosclerosis Society and guest speaker during the launch, studies found that the tandem tablet (glipizide/metformin combination) yield positive results in improving glycemic control of type 2 diabetics whose diet, exercise and monotherapy don’t work.

Glipizide, an insulin secretagogue which binds SU receptors in beta cells, is considered an intermediate-acting sulfonylurea (SU).

Its beta-cell function is significantly preserved via meal-stimulated insulin response and minimally preserved through fasting insulin.

Metformin, on the other hand, is an insulin sensitizer which lowers hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenesis.

This component increases peripheral glucose uptake and utilization and decreases intestinal absorption of glucose.

Paoletti cited factors such as poor glycemic control which include inadequate or inappropriate management of diabetes, poor medical follow-up, lack of awareness on the severity of the disease and poor compliance with diet, exercise and medication. He also noted the importance of adopting a combination therapy rather than the traditional monotherapy.