FDA OKs High-Dose Form Of Bristol
Diabetes Drug
posted 04/14/03
NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Co. on Monday said U.S. regulators had approved a higher-dose form
of Glucophage XR, the company's long-acting treatment for Type II
diabetes.
The New York-based drugmaker said the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration had approved a 750-milligram version of the
medicine. A 500-milligram tablet is already approved for use
together with diet and exercise as initial drug therapy for patients
aged 17 years and older.
Type II diabetes, an obesity-related condition
which usually develops in adulthood but is becoming a growing
problem among children, is the most common form of diabetes.
Glucophage XR and other drugs are used to control high levels of
glucose, or blood sugar, that can cause an array of serious problems
such as blindness and sharply higher risk of heart disease.
The company recently lost its U.S. patent
protection on the company's basic form of Glucophage, opening the
floodgates to cheaper copycats that have seriously hurt
Bristol-Myers revenue. Industry analysts expect patents on
Glucophage XR, which lasts longer in the bloodstream than basic
Glucophage, to expire in October.
Source: Reuters.
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