“Food and Drug Administration” to “Okaz”: “Diabetes” drug is in its last stages – Saudi News

The Food and Drug Authority revealed to “Okaz” that the company marketing the drug, which contributes to controlling sugar levels, submitted it to be registered with the Authority as a treatment for diabetes patients. She explained that the drug registration procedures are in their final stages.

She noted that the importance of the drug lies in the fact that it contains the active substance Tirzepatide, as it is the first drug that stimulates the most important hormones that control blood sugar, namely (GLP-1) and (GIP) at the same time; This is reflected in the preparation’s ability to control sugar well, thus outperforming the previous preparations.

She explained that the advantages of the product are that it is given in a weekly dose as a subcutaneous injection, and many concentrations are available to suit each patient with the appropriate dose.

She stated that the product has an additional therapeutic importance, but it is not an indication for its use, which is weight loss, as the product works to reduce the weight of its users of diabetes patients in proportions that vary according to the dose.

She pointed out that all preparations have the same warnings and side effects. Therefore, you must read the inner leaflet of the preparation before starting the treatment.

For his part, the consultant of internal medicine in the endocrinology unit, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sheikh, explained to “Okaz” that the drug, which will be approved by the Food and Drug Authority, is an effective treatment for the second type of diabetes, but it is not an alternative to previous treatments. It is similar to the weekly needles used for weight loss, but it is not a substitute for insulin.