What does that drug do? Focus on Sitagliptin

Possible doses: Sitagliptin is a safe glucose lowering pill. It can be taken once or twice daily. Its maximum effect on glucose lowering is achieved with 100 mg once daily or 50 mg twice daily. It is often combined with metformin in a single combination pill. 

What it does: Sitagliptin is used to lower glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It usually has a modest affect on glucose levels. Like any drug it will work better in some people than in others for reasons that are not clearly understood. It does not have any long-term effects on other diseases. 

How it works: Sitagliptin works by slowing the breakdown of a hormone in the blood called glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1. This hormone’s job is to stimulate insulin-producing cells in the pancreas to make more insulin whenever glucose (or blood sugar) levels are elevated. This hormone is normally broken down quickly by the body. When this breakdown is reduced by sitagliptin, the amount of GLP-1 in the blood rises, so it has a bigger effect on the glucose level. 

Side effects: Very few people complain of any side effects with this drug. 

Bottom line: Sitagliptin is widely used, effective and inexpensive. It continues to be commonly used in people with type 2 diabetes, especially when it is combined with metformin. 

About the author

Hertzel Gerstein, Endocrinologist

Hertzel is an endocrinologist and professor at McMaster University who is in high demand as a speaker, advocate, and educator on diabetes-related topics. His research focuses on using large, international randomized trials to identify and test new ways of preventing type 2 diabetes, reducing serious health outcomes like strokes and death, and achieving type 2 diabetes remissions.