Januvia (sitagliptin phosphate), a drug which enhances the body’s own ability to reduce blood sugar levels, has been approved by the FDA, in addition to diet and exercise. Not only is this new drug effective, but also it causes fewer undesirable side effects than others on the market. One of the problems with older drugs for type 2 diabetes patients is that they cause weight gain, this one does not.
Treatment with Januvia will probably cost between $3 – $6 per day.
Dr. Steven Galson, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA, said that Januvia will help many patients with type 2 diabetes who continue to have inadequate blood sugar control. “We now have another new option that treats the disease in an entirely new way that can be added to existing treatment regimens to help patients gain more control over their blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Galson.
The activity of proteins that increase the release of insulin after blood sugar goes up are prolonged by Januvia. Januvia blocks dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), an enzyme which breaks down these proteins – giving the patient better blood sugar control.
A human trial with 2,719 patients showed that Januvia provided better blood sugar control when used alone or in patients not satisfactorily managed with metformin or a PPAR agonist.
Side effects identified in the human trial were sore throat, upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhea.
Januvia – Full Prescription Information (PDF)
Januvia – Patient Product Information (PDF)
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today