Takeda drug combined with metformin hydrochloride reduces blood sugar levels, study concludes

DEERFIELD, Ill. Type 2 diabetes patients treated with a therapy that combines a branded drug and a widely available generic experienced greater blood sugar reduction than patients who took either drug alone, according to results of a recent clinical study.

The 600-patient study, published online in the journal Current Medical Research and Opinion, showed that 64% of patients who took Takeda’s ACTOplus met – a combination of Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) and metformin hydrochloride – reduced blood sugar levels to less than 7%. By contrast, 46% of patients who took Actos alone and 39% of those who took metformin alone reached comparable levels.

“Diabetes is a progressive and chronic condition, which requires continued monitoring by a patient and physician,” Takeda Pharmaceuticals North American VP medical and science affairs Robert Spanheimer said in a statement. “In addition to diet and exercise, patients often need to take multiple medications to help them manage their glucose control.”