Brenzavvy, a Type 2 Diabetes Drug, Now Available for Less Than $50 Month
By Andrew BriskinSusannah Chen
Brenzavvy, a type 2 diabetes drug recently approved by the FDA, has just become commercially available at lower cost with no insurance required.
Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin), a new SGLT-2 inhibitor diabetes drug, is now available in the U.S. The medication is obtainable with a prescription through Cost Plus Drugs, a company that negotiates directly with manufacturers to offer medications at a lower price, for $47.85 plus shipping and handling – notably less than any other medications in the same drug class.
This follows the FDA’s announcement in January that bexagliflozin, which is a more affordable treatment option than other competitors in its class, is approved to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults not receiving dialysis or with an eGFR of 30 or above.
Even more recent trial results have shown that bexagliflozin, when used with the drug metformin, resulted in significant decreases in A1C, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and weight. (A previous study found that the medication improved blood pressure and may slow the progression of stage 3 chronic kidney disease in adults with type 2 diabetes.)
How much does Brenzavvy cost?
Brenzavvy belongs to a class of drugs known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, which work by helping the body remove excess glucose (sugar) through the urine. However, these medications typically come with a steep retail price of hundreds of dollars per month.
Cost Plus Drugs is a public-benefit corporation, licensed drug wholesaler, and online pharmacy founded by Mark Cuban and physician Alexander Oshmyansky, who lives with diabetes. While it does not currently sell insulin, the company offers more than 1,000 prescriptions and also sells Invokana (canagliflozin), another medication in the same drug class, which retails on Cost Plus for $244 for 30 tablets, down from the list price of $676.
How does Brenzavvy work?
Brenzavvy was approved based on results from 23 clinical trials, which enrolled over 5,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. These trials showed that the medication, which was approved as the first oral treatment for diabetes in cats, effectively lowered blood sugar levels and improved overall diabetes control.
The BEST trial, which examined Brenzavvy in adults with type 2 diabetes, found that on average, participants’ A1C levels decreased from 8.3% to 7.45%. A1C levels above 7% are associated with an increased risk of complications from diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. A reduction of 0.85% in A1C levels can significantly reduce the risk of these complications. Researchers also found participants taking Brenzavvy experienced a 3kg reduction in body weight after 48 weeks, and this weight loss was sustained during the 168 weeks of follow-ups.
Brenzavvy is now the fifth SGLT-2 inhibitor approved in the US, along with Invokana (canagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Jardiance (empagliflozin), and Steglatro (ertugliflozin). Only 12% of adults with T2D in the United States are currently taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor, and among those who start, roughly 50% stop treatment within a year due to high cost and insurance barriers. The medication, which can either be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, is not approved for people with type 1 diabetes. Yeast infections are the most common side effect.
Learn more about SGLT-2 inhibitor medications:
- What Are SGLT-2 Inhibitors, and How Can They Help Your Heart?
- Using SGLT-2 Inhibitors to Help Manage Type 1 Diabetes
