The TGA has approved empagliflozin for type 2 diabetes in children as young as 10, either combined with metformin or as monotherapy if metformin is not tolerated.

The updated product information flags a starting dose of 10mg, which can be increased up to 25mg daily for patients needing further glycaemic control.

Dr Gary Deed, chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Diabetes group, said it was a “wonderful addition to the toolkit”, which for children had been limited to insulin and metformin.

“We have limited options for treatment because the trials do not exist,” the Queensland GP said.