Merck diabetes drug found to improve blood sugar control

Since metformin is administered twice daily, in a study, sitagliptin was given as 50mg twice daily to allow for co-administration of the two treatments. The approved dose for Januvia is 100mg once daily.

The study demonstrated a mean A1C reduction from baseline of 1.8 percent in patients treated with the initial combination of sitagliptin 50mg/metformin 1000mg twice daily for up to 54 weeks (n=153).

After completing an initial 24-week placebo-controlled phase (n=1091), 748 patients with a mean baseline A1C of 8.7 percent continued for an additional 30 weeks on their previously assigned active therapies: sitagliptin 50mg/metformin 1000mg twice daily (n=157); sitagliptin 50mg/metformin 500mg twice daily (n=148); metformin 1000mg twice daily (n=137); metformin 500mg twice daily (n=122); and sitagliptin 100mg once-daily (n=106).

John Amatruda, vice president of clinical research said: “Initial therapy with one agent is often unsuccessful at getting patients to blood sugar goals. Many patients may require initial combination therapy, and this study provides important and useful information about the use of sitagliptin and metformin, in addition to diet and exercise, in order to achieve and maintain blood sugar control.”