sitagliptin (Januvia)

Following a full submission

sitagliptin (Januvia®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control in combination with a sulphonylurea when diet and exercise plus maximal tolerated dose of a sulphonylurea alone do not provide adequate glycaemic control and when metformin is inappropriate due to contraindications or intolerance; or in combination with a sulphonylurea and metformin when diet and exercise plus dual therapy with these agents do not provide adequate glycaemic control.

When added to a sulphonylurea with or without metformin, sitagliptin had a modest beneficial effect on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

Sitagliptin is also licensed for use in combination with thiazolidinedione drugs.The manufacturer’s submission related only to the use of sitagliptin in combination with sulphonylureas with or without metformin. SMC cannot recommend the use of sitagliptin in combination with thiazolidinediones.