New drug
A new drug has just been approved for use in Australia. SITAGLIPTIN (Januvia) is an oral drug for type 2 Diabetes mellitus. It is a new class of drug, a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4) inhibitor. Sitagliptin is an 'incretin enhancer' that increases the levels of active incretin by inhibiting their metabolism by DPP-4, thus prolonging their effect in stimulating insulin release and decreasing glucagon secretion.
It is listed for use with either metformin or a sulfonylurea, when a combination of these drugs is contraindicated or not tolerated. There is insufficient evidence to use Sitagliptin as mono therapy. Adverse effects include nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache and nausea. The dose should be reduced in moderate to sever renal impairment.
Reference: www.npsradar.org.au
August 08
