Sitagliptin approved as add-on to insulin

Sitagliptin (known as Januvia) has been approved by the European Commission as an add-on to insulin (with or without metformin) for people with type 2 diabetes who cannot control their condition effectively with a combination of diet, physical activity and insulin.

Sitagliptin is a once-daily DPP-4 inhibitor that works by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme that destroys the hormone incretin.

Incretins help the body produce more insulin only when it is needed and reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver when it is not needed.

“We welcome this announcement that sitagliptin will be made available, as it can offer people with type 2 diabetes a further option to help them achieve good glycaemic control,” said Caroline Butler, Care Adviser at Diabetes UK.