Marketed as Januvia since 2006, and combined with metformin as Janumet since 2007 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, sitagliptin is an oral diabetic medicine that acts as a DPP-4 inhibitor, lowering blood glucose. By inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, it increases incretin levels to aid in insulin synthesis and release by the pancreas. It also serves to slow down the release of glucagon, which would otherwise also increase blood sugar levels. When combined with metformin, insulin sensitivity is also improved due to better uptake and use of glucose in the muscles and tissues of the body. The metformin also limits the liver’s glucose production, improving post meal and fasting glucose levels and making the combination Janumet drug more efficient than just metformin alone. In treating diabetes, sitagliptin is often prescribed with other medications like metformin, Actos, or Avandia.

Sitagliptin Side Effects: What Are The Risks?

Like other …