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Side effects and the future of Starlix

There have been no major side effects reported with the use of Starlix. While it is possible for Starlix to lead to hypoglycemia, the risk of low blood glucose levels actually occurring due to Starlix is quite low. As mentioned before, this is mostly due to the effects of Starlix lasting for less than one hour.

The FDA has approved Starlix to be used both alone and in combination with Glucophage® (metformin). It is not known exactly how Glucophage works, but some thoughts are that Glucophage works in several ways to decrease the amount of glucose in the body and to increase the effectiveness of insulin. Studies have shown there is a greater decrease in hemoglobin A1c when Starlix and Glucophage are used together.

Starlix has just begun to be available in some pharmacies throughout the United States. Novartis has also filed a submission for marketing approval with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency. There is no word as to when Starlix might be approved for marketing in Europe. Several countries, including Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela, have already approved the use of Starlix.

There is not yet enough information to know just how well Starlix will help type 2 diabetes patients control their blood glucose, especially over a period of several years. The early indications are that Starlix will be very beneficial in producing long-term control of blood glucose, either by itself or in combination with Glucophage.

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Brian E. Gulbis, Pharm.D.
Email: c-dunbar@onu.edu

Brian Gulbis is a recent graduate of Ohio Northern University, and is currently a pharmacy practice resident at the Medical University of South Carolina.