Janumet™: a combination product suitable for use in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Inhibition of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 represents the latest pharmacologic intervention to become available to assist patients with Type 2 diabetes to achieve glycemic control. A combination tablet of sitagliptin (Januvia®) and metformin HCl (Glucophage®) is now available from Merck (Janumet™). The FDA has approved this drug for use in patients who are not adequately controlled by taking either sitagliptin or metformin HCl alone or for patients who are at present taking both simultaneously. Sitagliptin has been shown to be safe and effective at 100 mg daily doses. When given in combination with metformin the effect on glycemic control is thought to be complementary and possibly additive.