AstraZeneca’s Once-a-Week Diabetes Drug Approved for Children

The FDA has approved AstraZeneca’s once-a-week injectable diabetes drug, Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended-release), for use in children age 10 years and older.

Bydureon BCise was previously approved by the agency for lowering blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, in addition to other oral medicines, diet and exercise.

Bydureon BCise is part of a diabetes drug class known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, which boost insulin levels in the body when blood sugar levels are elevated.

The drug has also received marketing authorization in the EU.