AstraZeneca Gets CDSCO panel nod to Import, Market Anti-Diabetic Dapagliflozin for Additional Indication

However, this approval is subjected to the condition that the drug is indicated in adults for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) up to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of greater than or equal to 25 ml/min/1.73m2.

The expert panel further recommended that patients may continue taking 10 mg orally once daily to lower their risk of eGFR decrease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular (CV) mortality, and hypertensive heart failure (hHF). However, treatment initiation is not advised for those whose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is lower than 25 ml/min/1.73m2.

This came after the firm presented the application for import and marketing permission of Dapagliflozin film-coated tablets 10 mg for the additional indication "to reduce the risk of sustained e-GFR and kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression".

Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dapagliflozin inhibits the sodium-glucose contransporter 2 (SGLT2), which is primarily located in the proximal tubule of the nephron. SGLT2 facilitates 90% of glucose resorption in the kidneys and so its inhibition allows for glucose to be excreted in the urine. This excretion allows for better glycemic control and potentially weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.