Sitagliptin in clinical practice: a new approach in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Sitagliptin is a novel agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes either as monotherapy or in combination with metformin or a thiazolidinedione.


OBJECTIVE
To review the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in clinical trials and comment on drug interactions and safety issues arising from its use.


METHODS
Relevant articles were identified through a PubMed search (up to May 2008).


CONCLUSIONS
Sitagliptin either used alone or in combination with other hypoglycemic agents has a favorable glucose-lowering effect and safety profile. It has been associated with few side effects, mainly involving the gastrointestinal system and with a low incidence of hypoglycemia, while it generally demonstrated a neutral effect on body weight. Sitagliptin is a safe alternative or complementary option for patients with type 2 diabetes who do not reach the recommended glycosylated hemoglobin level with lifestyle interventions and/or current oral antidiabetic agents.
Florentin
M
M
University of Ioannina, Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Ioannina, Greece, Ioannina 45110, Greece.
Liberopoulos
E N
EN
Mikhailidis
D P
DP
Elisaf
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068900:Sitagliptin Phosphate; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D011719:Pyrazines; D014230:Triazoles; D000068900:Sitagliptin Phosphate