The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a once-daily oral combination of two prescription drugs for treating adults with type 2 diabetes.

The drug, known as Jentadueto XR, combines 2.5 or 5 mg of linagliptin with 1000 mg of metformin. It is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes that take the individual drugs.

Both drugs help control blood glucose levels. Metformin works by decreasing glucose (sugar) production in the liver and decreasing absorption of glucose by the intestines. Linagliptin works by regulating the levels of insulin the body produces after eating.

The drug’s label will contain a boxed warning about the risk for lactic acidosis from the metformin component. Lactic acidosis is a rare, but serious, life-threatening ailment that can be associated with metformin use, particularly in patients with kidney dysfunction, liver disease or a history of alcoholism.

When on the market, Jentadueto XR will join several other diabetes drug combinations designed to make taking multiple medications more convenient for those with the disorder.