New class of diabetes drugs receives approval from FDA
The once-daily tablet has fewer side effects and can be taken with existing medicines
By DENISE GELLENE
Los Angeles Times

Federal regulators on Tuesday approved a new class of oral drugs for Type 2 diabetes that are as effective as most existing treatments and avoid common side effects, such as dangerously low blood sugar.

The Food and Drug Administration said Merck & Co.'s Januvia, a once-daily tablet, could be taken alone or in combination with the commonly used oral diabetes medicines metformin, Actos and Avandia. the rest