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Type 2

Brenzavvy, a Type 2 Diabetes Drug, Available for Less Than $50 Month

Key takeaways:

  • A relatively newer drug on the U.S. market, Brenzavvy is a lower-priced type 2 diabetes drug approved in 2023. Unlike other SGLT-2 inhibitors, many of which cost hundreds of dollars per month without insurance, Brenzavvy is only $50 per month through Cost Plus Drugs.
  • Brenzavvy is an SGLT-2 inhibitor that helps lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and provides additional benefits like weight loss, blood pressure reduction, and kidney and heart protection.
  • Until recently, Brenzavvy was only available through online pharmacies like Cost Plus Drugs, but it is now being offered at Publix pharmacies.

There’s good news for anyone in need of an affordable blood sugar-lowering medication for type 2 diabetes.

Following its approval in 2023, Brenzavvy became one of the most affordable SGLT-2 inhibitors on the market, costing $50 or less per month. However, it was only available through online pharmacies like Cost Plus Drugs. Access is now expanding, with Brenzavvy manufacturer TheracosBio recently announcing the medication is now available in Publix pharmacies across the U.S. 

In addition to having a significantly lower monthly price than other competitors in its drug class, Brenzavvy has also been found to be safe for the heart and blood vessels, even for people with diabetes who are at high risk for future cardiovascular disease.

What is Brenzavvy?

Brenzavvy (bexagliflozin) is a once-daily medication that lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, which work by helping the body remove excess glucose (sugar) through the urine. Brenzavvy became the fifth SGLT-2 inhibitor approved in the U.S. after Invokana (canagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Jardiance (empagliflozin), and Steglatro (ertugliflozin). It was also the first SGLT-2 inhibitor shown to be effective in adults with type 2 diabetes and stage 3 chronic kidney disease.

Studies have also found that cardiovascular risks, such as stroke, heart attack, and heart-related death, are similar to those found in other approved SGLT-2 inhibitors.

“These data should give physicians confidence in the overall safety profile of Brenzavvy,” said Dr. Mason W. Freeman, director at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Who should take Brenzavvy?

In January 2023, Brenzavvy was approved by the FDA along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The approval was 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 management.

The medication, which can either be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications, is not approved for people with type 1 diabetes. As with other SGLT-2 inhibitors, Brenzavvy is not indicated for use in people with type 1 due to the elevated risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), although some healthcare professionals may prescribe medications in this class for off-label use.

Yeast infections are the most common side effect.

What are the health benefits of Brenzavvy?

Trials have shown that the Brenzavvy significantly lowers blood sugar levels and improves blood sugar management. 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 vision problems. A reduction of 0.85% in A1C levels can significantly reduce the risk of these complications.

Researchers also found that participants taking Brenzavvy experienced roughly a 6-pound reduction in body weight after 48 weeks, and weight loss was sustained over time.

How much does Brenzavvy cost?

Brenzavvy is obtainable with a prescription for $49.85 (plus shipping and handling) through Cost Plus Drugs. This amount is notably less than any other medications in the same SGLT-2 drug class, many of which are sold at a retail price of hundreds of dollars per month.

Previously, the medication was only available through online pharmacies like Cost Plus Drugs, however, TheracosBio recently announced that Brenzavvy is now available at Publix pharmacies, which have over 1,300 locations across the U.S.. 

Drug cost remains an obstacle for many people living with diabetes. One study showed that from 2015 to 2019, only 12% of insured adults with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. took an SGLT-2 inhibitor. Among those who started, roughly 50% stopped treatment within a year due to high cost and insurance barriers.

Considering that recent legislation is putting millions of people at risk of losing health insurance, access to affordable blood sugar-lowering medication is more important than ever – especially for those paying out of pocket.  

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