Sitagliptin

Question 1

What drug class is Sitagliptin?

Answer 1

DPP-4 inhibitor (gliptins)

Question 2

What are the common indications for Sitagliptin?

Answer 2

It’s a hypoglycaemic agent

* Type 2 diabetes (as a monotherapy or in combination)

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of Sitagliptin?

Answer 3

Prevent incretin degradation (increase plasma incretin concs) (DPP-4 is an enzyme that normally breaks down incretin and incretins help the body produce more insulin)

It’s glucose dependent - has an effect after a meal

Doesn’t stimulate insulin secretion at normal blood glucose levels so a lower hypoglycaemic risk

Suppresses appetite

Question 4

What are the common adverse drug reactions of Sitagliptin?

Answer 4

• GI upset

* a small risk of pancreatitis

Question 5

What are the common drug-drug interactions of Sitagliptin?

Answer 5

• other hypoglycaemic agents

* drugs that increase glucose (oppose the action of the gliptin) - thiazide like and loop diuretics