Sitagliptin: a review

Introduction: The ever-increasing burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and inadequate control in the majority of patients has led to a quest for newer therapeutic options. There have been recent exciting advances in the treatment of T2DM, targeting the enteroinsular axis with incretin-based therapies that include the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors. Areas covered: The background, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of sitagliptin and important clinical trials with this drug are discussed in this paper. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the DPP-IV inhibitor sitagliptin, its clinical use and an expert opinion about its place in the treatment algorithm of diabetes management. Expert opinion: Sitagliptin is a well-tolerated, moderately efficacious, weight-neutral oral antidiabetic agent, with a low incidence of hypoglycemia. It may have a particular role in the management of diabetic patients with kidney or liver dysfunction. Animal studies indicate a protective effect on the pancreatic beta cell, thus limiting the progression of the disease, but this remains to be proven in humans.