Indications
Monotherapy and Combination Therapy: Sitadus is used alongside diet and exercise to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Important Limitations of Use: Sitadus is not suitable for type 1 diabetes or for treating diabetic ketoacidosis, since it would not work in these situations. Its safety in people with a history of pancreatitis has not been studied, so it is not known whether such patients face a higher risk of developing pancreatitis while taking Sitadus.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Sitagliptin belongs to a group of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors. In people with type 2 diabetes, it is thought to work by slowing down the breakdown of incretin hormones. Because of this, Sitagliptin raises the levels of the active, intact hormones and keeps them working for longer.
The intestine releases incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), throughout the day. Their levels rise after a meal. The enzyme DPP-4 breaks these hormones down quickly. Incretins are part of the body's natural system for keeping blood glucose under control. When blood glucose is normal or high, GLP-1 and GIP stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to make and release more insulin, using signalling pathways inside the cell that involve cyclic AMP. GLP-1 also reduces the amount of glucagon released by the alpha cells of the pancreas, which means the liver makes less glucose.
By keeping active incretin levels higher for longer, Sitagliptin increases insulin release and lowers glucagon in the blood. It does this only when glucose is raised, so the effect depends on blood glucose levels. Sitagliptin is selective for DPP-4. In laboratory studies, at concentrations close to those reached with therapeutic doses, it did not inhibit DPP-8 or DPP-9.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Sitagliptin has been studied in rats and rabbits, and it is placed in Pregnancy Category B. Animal studies don't always predict what happens in people, so sitagliptin should be used during pregnancy only when it is clearly needed.
In lactating rats, sitagliptin passes into the milk at a milk to plasma ratio of 4:1. We don't know whether it passes into human milk. Many drugs do, so care is needed when sitagliptin is given to a woman who is breastfeeding.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.