OSAKA -- Tanabe Seiyaku Co. said Tuesday its hypertension treatment drug Tanatril has been approved for treatment of diabetic nephropathy, a kidney abnormality.
The drug, sold in Japan since 1993, was approved last Thursday by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry as therapy for nephropathy associated with type-1 diabetes, the pharmaceutical maker said.
Tanatril is the first medication in Japan whose effects in treating nephropathy have been acknowledged by authorities, it said.
The drug can be also effective in treating nephropathy associated with type-2 diabetes, and the company is considering filing for approval.
Most diabetics in Japan have type-2, which is often caused by lack of exercise and other lifestyle-related factors.