| Summary: | Jennifer Hayes,1 Rosie Anderson,1 Jeffrey W Stephens1,2 1Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Morriston Hospital, ABM University NHS Trust, 2Diabetes Research Group, Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is good evidence showing that intensive glycemic control reduces the development and progression of complications. In order to achieve glycemic targets, patients often require a combination of oral therapy and/or insulin in addition to lifestyle modification. Unfortunately, many of the traditional therapies for type 2 diabetes are associated with weight gain and hypoglycemia, resulting in poor compliance and subsequent worsening of glycemic control. The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin is a therapy for type 2 diabetes and is available as a fixed-dose combination with metformin. Phase III clinical trials have demonstrated beneficial effects on glycemic control and minimal untoward effects with this combination. In this article, we provide an overview of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety and examine the role of this combination within current practice. Keywords: sitagliptin, metformin, fixed-dose combination, type 2 diabetes
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