MEDDESKTOP: FDA Approves FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Friday, March 28, 2008

FDA Approves FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Product Name: FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
PMA Applicant:Abbott Diabetes Care
Address: 1360 South Loop Road, Alameda, CA 94502
Approval Date: March 12, 2008
Approval Letter: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf5/p050020a.pdf

What is it? The FreeStyle Navigator Glucose Monitoring System is a glucose sensor that reports glucose values continuously for up to 120 hours. These readings are used with fingerstick results to detect trends and patterns in glucose levels in adults, age 18 and over, with diabetes.

How does it work? The sensor is inserted in either the abdomen or the back of the upper arm. After a 10 hour start-up period, the FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is calibrated with a fingerstick measurement taken by a built-in glucose meter. After calibration, the FreeStyle Navigator System provides continuous glucose readings and updated glucose trend information for viewing. The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System also contains a built-in alarm that can be programmed to alert the user when results fall below pre-set low and pre-set high levels, and another alarm to alert users before their results reach pre-set levels.

When is it used? The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is used with fingerstick measurements to provide additional glucose information to adults with diabetes, age 18 and over, and their healthcare practitioners. The Indications for Use are:

The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is indicated for continually recording interstitial fluid glucose levels in people (ages 18 and older) with diabetes mellitus for the purpose of improving diabetes management. Readings and alarms about glucose levels from the FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System are not intended to replace traditional blood glucose monitoring. Before adjusting therapy for diabetes management based on the results and alarms from the FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, traditional blood glucose tests must be performed. The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System provides a built-in blood glucose meter to confirm the continuous glucose result.

The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System provides real-time readings, graphs, trends and glucose alarms directly to the user. The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is intended to be used in home settings to aid people with diabetes in predicting and detecting episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and in clinical settings to aid healthcare professionals in evaluating glucose control. The FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is available only by prescription.

What will it accomplish? Additional glucose information may help people with diabetes and their healthcare practitioners to better manage their disease by providing more information on glucose trends and patterns than can be obtained with fingerstick glucose measurements alone.

When should it not be used?

Results from this device are not designed to replace blood glucose meter measurements.
Treatment decisions should not be based solely on results from the FreeStyle Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. You must confirm with a blood glucose meter measurement before making therapeutic adjustments.
Symptoms related to low or high blood glucose levels should not be ignored. If you have symptoms of low or high glucose, use your blood glucose meter to check the FreeStayle Navigator System results.

Additional information: Summary of Safety and Effectiveness and labeling will be available at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf5/p050020.html

Diabetes Information:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetes.html