MSD Korea, the Korean branch of Merck & Co, released Wednesday a new 25mg dose of its antidiabetic treatment, Januvia, for patients with chronic kidney problems.

Doctors will be able to safely prescribe the new low-dosage medication to even end-stage renal disease patients that need blood or peritoneal dialysis, through all stages of treatment, the company said, adding that that patients can buy the drug at 25 percent of its original cost.

Januvia is a DPP-4 inhibitor that, along with diet and exercise, helps decrease blood pressure in type-II diabetes patients. The medication passes through the kidney, making the original 100mg dose potentially unsafe for those with kidney problems.

“We anticipate that Januvia will contribute to the more effective management of type II diabetes since medical professionals can now prescribe the drug to these patients with renal impairment,” said Park Do-hee, general marketing manager at MSD Korea.

TECOS Research has found that patients with kidney complications who took 25mg tablets in the study did not face higher risks of cardiovascular problems or chronic kidney disease, she added.

Lee Sang-jin, a medical advisor at MSD Korea, also said, “Safe and effective medication is ideal for both patients, doctors, and the government. MSD aims to help patients through clinical trials and further research.”

During the press event, the company also celebrated Januvia’s 10 years in the Korean market. The diabetes treatment is a first-in-class diabetes drug, which gained the first approval for its kind in the United States, Europe, and Korea.