California-based Dexcom’s Stelo over-the-counter glucose biosensor is now available in the USA for purchase without a prescription.

Stelo is a small biosensor worn on the back of the upper arm that leverages Dexcom glucose sensing technology. It is designed to provide the 125 million Americans with type-two diabetes not using insulin, and those withprediabetes, with personalised glucose insights sent directly to a smartphone, revealing how food, exercise and sleep can affect glucose, all without painful fingersticks.

This is said to be the only over-the-counter glucose biosensor designed for people with diabetes that doesn’t require any fingersticks.

“Dexcom has been at the forefront of glucose biosensing for 25 years,” said Jake Leach, executive vice president at Dexcom. “With the launch of Stelo, we’re defining a brand-new category and once again setting the gold standard for people to easily take control of their health. Now, millions more have access to 24-7, easy-to-understand glucose insights that can inform their daily lifestyle choices and support behaviour modification.”

The benefits of glucose biosensing have been shown when used alone, or alongside other diabetes and weight management medications. Studies show the use of Dexcom glucose biosensing by people with type-two diabetes is associated with clinically meaningful improvement.

“Dexcom glucose biosensors are an essential and proven tool for diabetes management, driving strong clinical outcomes regardless of medication use and even potentially slowing the progression of diabetes,” said Thomas Grace, head of clinical advocacy and outcomes at Dexcom. “In a world where GLP-1 use is becoming increasingly more common, glucose biosensors like Stelo can help make those medications more effective.”

It has up to 15-day wear time and is waterproof. A personalised, easy-to-use app provides daily, weekly and session summary insights that can help form healthier habits.

Said to be the only over-the-counter glucose biosensor for people with diabetes featuring spike detection, it is designed to identify meaningful glucose variability as it happens so users can make informed changes. Only Dexcom glucose sensors have been associated with significant improvements in glucose and cardiovascular risk reduction measures as early as three months.

Stelo (stelo.com) is part of Dexcom’s overall portfolio of glucose biosensors, with a user base of more than 2.5 million people globally. The Dexcom portfolio in the USA consists of the Dexcom G6 and G7 continuous glucose monitoring systems, and now Stelo, collectively designed to address the needs of people with all types of diabetes and prediabetes.

Dexcom (www.dexcom.com) is headquartered in San Diego, California, with operations across Europe and select parts of Asia and Oceania.