Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Novo Nordisk A/S's Victoza, the newest drug available to treat diabetes, should be given to British patients only in combination with two other medications, according to a preliminary recommendation by the U.K.'s health- cost agency.
The drug known chemically as liraglutide should be considered an option for obese diabetics who can't keep their blood sugar levels under control with older medications, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said in a statement. Victoza should be used with metformin and one other drug, either GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Avandia, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.'s Actos or the generic medicine sulfonylurea, the agency said.
The appraisal panel for the agency asked for additional information about Victoza's benefits when given with just one other drug, and said it wouldn't recommend a higher, 1.8 milligram dose of the medication. Victoza was also backed for smaller patients who can't take insulin at work or who would reap medical benefits from the weight loss that the drug can trigger.
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