News Abbott gets FDA clearance for over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors

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Unlike the FreeStyle Libre systems (pictured above), Abbott’s new continuous glucose monitors won’t require a prescription. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Abbott announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration has cleared two new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors (CGM). The Lingo is designed for health-conscious consumers who want to get greater insight into their metabolism. Meanwhile, the Libre Rio is designed for Type 2 diabetics who don’t rely on insulin.

CGMs are small wearable sensors that you typically wear for about 14 days at a time. They don’t actually measure your blood sugar but instead measure glucose in interstitial fluid — the stuff between your cells — just under the skin. Thus far, they’ve generally been used for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who rely on insulin for treatment. However, there’s been a growing push among medical device makers and...

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