TheracosBio Announces Availability of BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin) Through DiRx’s National Online Pharmacy
20 Dec 2023
Drug ApprovalPhase 3Clinical Result
BRENZAVVY will be priced at $47.75 a month and eliminates hassles associated with insurance benefit design
Marlborough, MA – December 18, 2023 – TheracosBio today announced that BRENZAVVY® (bexagliflozin), an oral sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitorsodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, is now available by prescription through DiRx, an online mail order pharmacy licensed to fill and ship prescriptions to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
BRENZAVVY will cost only $47.75 a month, and the prescription will not be processed via insurance companies. That means, in addition to being more affordable for the uninsured, insured patients and physicians will not need to jump through onerous hoops, such as prior authorization or step therapy, to fill the prescription.
“TheracosBio is committed to helping patients with type 2 diabetes who could benefit from starting and staying on an SGLT2 inhibitor but cannot afford one,” said Brian Connelly, President and CEO of TheracosBio. “DiRx shares our vision to make affordable medications accessible to many more Americans irrespective of their insurance status. By partnering with DiRx, we can increase the accessibility of BRENZAVVY as the first affordably priced, once-daily SGLT2 inhibitor for patients.”
Approximately 1 in 10 people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, but many patients report suboptimal adherence to medication due to high costs. A study in Diabetes Care found that, among those with type 2 diabetes under the age of 65, 13.5% reported skipping doses, 13.9% took less medication, and 16.4% delayed filling a prescription to save money.
“DiRx’s ‘Medicine For All’ motto was a key driver in creating the first national mail order pharmacy to introduce a direct sourcing model by skipping the supply chain middlemen and making more than 1,000 prescription generic medications very affordable and accessible to American consumers,” said Satish Srinivasan, Founder and CEO of DiRx. “We’ve recently also started launching select branded medications to treat critical therapy needs at affordable cash prices without the need for insurance. In this context, TheracosBio’s mission of ‘making diabetes therapy available for less than $50 per month without insurance’ was a great fit and we are proud to partner with them to launch BRENZAVVY among our portfolio of affordable diabetes therapies.”
BRENZAVVY is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. BRENZAVVY is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Phase 3 clinical studies have shown BRENZAVVY significantly reduces hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar after 24 weeks, either as a monotherapy, in combination with metformin, or as an add-on to standard-of-care treatment consisting of a variety of regimens, including metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin, DPP4 inhibitors or combinations of these agents. Although BRENZAVVY is not approved for weight or blood pressure reduction, modest decreases in both weight and blood pressure have been observed in the clinical program.
BRENZAVVY is available as 20 mg oral tablets recommended to be taken once daily, in the morning with or without food. BRENZAVVY is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to bexagliflozin or any other ingredient in the BRENZAVVY tablet. The most common side effects of taking BRENZAVVY include female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in urination, but more serious side effects are possible (see below, Important Safety Information about BRENZAVVY).
BRENZAVVY treatment can be initiated in adults with type 2 diabetes with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than or equal to 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients with eGFR between 30 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 are said to be in stage 3 chronic kidney disease. BRENZAVVY was the first SGLT2 inhibitor shown in a randomized, controlled clinical trial to be effective for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and stage 3 (3a + 3b) chronic kidney disease.
To learn more about BRENZAVVY and for full prescribing information visit . To report suspected adverse reactions, contact TheracosBio at 1-855-BRENZAVVY (1-855-273-6928) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or .
Important Safety Information about BRENZAVVY
Limitation of Use: BRENZAVVY (bexagliflozin) is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients.
Contraindications
BRENZAVVY is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to bexagliflozin or any excipient in BRENZAVVY. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Warnings and Precautions
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Other Ketoacidosis
BRENZAVVY increases the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and pancreatic disorders are also risk factors for ketoacidosis and fatal events of ketoacidosis have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes using SGLT2 inhibitors. Precipitating conditions for diabetic ketoacidosis or other ketoacidosis include under-insulinization due to insulin dose reduction or missed insulin doses, acute febrile illness, reduced caloric intake, ketogenic diet, surgery, volume depletion, and alcohol abuse. Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are consistent with dehydration and severe metabolic acidosis and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized malaise, and shortness of breath. Assess patients who present with signs and symptoms of metabolic ketoacidosis, regardless of blood glucose levels. If suspected, discontinue BRENZAVVY, treat promptly and monitor for resolution before restarting. Consider ketone monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus as well as in others at risk for ketoacidosis. Withhold BRENZAVVY in clinical situations known to predispose to ketoacidosis and resume when clinically stable. Educate all patients on the signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis and instruct patients to discontinue BRENZAVVY and seek medical attention immediately if signs and symptoms occur.
Lower Limb Amputation
Lower limb amputations have been observed in patients treated with BRENZAVVY in a study of patients with type 2 diabetes who had either established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or were at risk for CVD. Of the 23 BRENZAVVY-treated patients who had amputations, 15 were amputations of the toe and midfoot and 8 were amputations above and below the knee. Some patients had multiple amputations. Lower limb infections, gangrene, ischemia, and osteomyelitis were the most common precipitating medical events leading to the need for an amputation. The risk of amputation was highest in patients with a baseline history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, and neuropathy.
Before initiating BRENZAVVY, consider factors in the patient’s history that may predispose to the need for amputations, such as a history of prior amputation, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, and diabetic foot ulcers. Counsel patients receiving BRENZAVVY about the importance of routine preventative foot care and monitor for signs and symptoms of diabetic foot infection (including osteomyelitis), new pain or tenderness, sores or ulcers involving the lower limbs, and institute appropriate treatment.
Volume Depletion
BRENZAVVY can cause intravascular volume contraction which may sometimes manifest as symptomatic hypotension or acute transient changes in creatinine. Acute kidney injury requiring hospitalization and dialysis has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Before initiating, assess volume status and renal function in patients with impaired renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2), elderly patients, patients with low systolic blood pressure, or patients on loop diuretics. In patients with volume depletion, correct this condition. After initiating, monitor for signs and symptoms of volume depletion and renal function.
Urosepsis and Pyelonephritis
Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis requiring hospitalization have been identified in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors, including BRENZAVVY. Treatment with BRENZAVVY increases the risk for urinary tract infections. Evaluate patients for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections and treat them promptly.
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues
Insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) are known to cause hypoglycemia. BRENZAVVY may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue. A lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with BRENZAVVY.
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Perineum (Fournier’s Gangrene)
Serious, life-threatening cases requiring urgent surgical intervention have been identified in postmarketing surveillance in both males and females with diabetes mellitus receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Serious outcomes have included hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and death. Assess patients presenting with pain or tenderness, erythema, or swelling in the genital or perineal areas, along with fever or malaise. If suspected, start treatment, and discontinue BRENZAVVY.
Genital Mycotic Infections
BRENZAVVY increases the risk of genital mycotic infections. Patients who have a history of genital mycotic infections or who are uncircumcised are more likely to develop genital mycotic infections. Monitor and treat appropriately.
MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS (>5%): Female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection and increased urination.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pregnancy: BRENZAVVY is not recommended during the second and third trimesters.
Lactation: BRENZAVVY is not recommended when breastfeeding.
Geriatric patients: There is a higher incidence of adverse reactions related to volume depletion.
Renal Impairment: There is a higher incidence of adverse reactions related to reduced renal function.
Hepatic Impairment: BRENZAVVY is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Inducers of UGT1A9 could result in more rapid clearance of BRENZAVVY by metabolism. Doses of insulin and sulfonylureas may need to be reduced to offset the action of BRENZAVVY. The safety of BRENZAVVY is compromised when it is coupled with insulin or an insulin secretagogue (sulfonylureas and meglitinides – the latter rarely used in the US). Lithium carbonate is used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. Lithium ions might be preferentially (compared to sodium ions) taken up with glucose in the kidney. Empirical evidence has shown that lithium levels can be lower when SGLT2 inhibitors are administered. SGLT2 inhibitors produce pronounced glucosuria, which makes urine testing for glucose diagnostically useless. Measurements of 1,5 anhydroglucitol are also compromised.
For additional important safety information about BRENZAVVY, please see the full Prescribing Information.
About TheracosBio
TheracosBio develops novel therapeutics for diseases with significant societal impact. The mission of TheracosBio is to expand access to new medications for patients with common diseases.
About DiRx
DiRx is an online mail order pharmacy that delivers significant cost savings on commonly prescribed, FDA-approved medicines without the need for insurance. Founded by industry experts, and licensed to ship prescriptions to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, DiRx draws a straight line from supply to demand to streamline the path between the manufacturer and the consumer. This lowers costs and makes more medicine accessible to more people. DiRx offers a viable model for businesses and community organizations while simplifying how consumers fill, pay for, and receive maintenance medicine. DiRx has already received recognition from Forbes Health on its 2022 list of ‘Best Online Pharmacies in the country’ and from Fast Company on its 2023 list of ‘Top-10 Most Innovative Companies in Healthcare’. To learn more, visit DiRxHealth.com, or call 877-FOR-DIRX (877-367-3479).
Media Contact
Brian Reid for TheracosBio
brian@reidstrategic.com
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