NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (PRWEB) November 21, 2008
JANUVIA is indicated, as an adjunct to diet and exercise, to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. JANUVIA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. JANUVIA has not been studied in combination with insulin. JANUVIA is contraindicated in patients with a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis and angioedema. As is typical with other anti-hyperglycemic agents used in combination with a sulfonylurea, when JANUVIA is used in combination with a sulfonylurea, a class of medications known to cause hypoglycemia, the incidence of hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo. Therefore, a lower dose of sulfonylurea may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
“The elderly population presents challenges for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as various factors can affect the ability to lower these patients’ blood sugar to target levels,” said lead study investigator Nir Barzilai, M.D., director of the Institute for Aging Research and Animal Physiology Core, Diabetes Research Training Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “In this study, JANUVIA effectively helped lower blood glucose levels and was not associated with hypoglycemia.”
JANUVIA significantly reduced blood sugar levels with no reported cases of hypoglycemia in this study
In this 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 206 patients aged 65 years and older (mean age of 72 years) with baseline A1C1 levels of 7.0 to 10.0 percent (baseline mean of 7.8 percent) received JANUVIA (n=102) or placebo (n=104). In patients treated with JANUVIA, the mean placebo-adjusted A1C reduction from baseline at 24 weeks was 0.7 percent (JANUVIA, -0.5 percent vs. placebo, +0.2 percent; p
Safety parameters were also assessed in this study. For patients in the JANUVIA or placebo group, respectively, the incidences of overall adverse experiences (AEs), serious AEs and AEs leading to discontinuation were 46 and 53 percent, 7 and 13 percent and 5 and 3 percent.
Clinical AEs of hypoglycemia and selected gastrointestinal (GI) events (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea) as well as body weight were pre-specified as AEs of interest. No cases of hypoglycemia were reported in patients treated with JANUVIA. The incidence of pre-specified GI events was similar between the JANUVIA and placebo groups. AEs of constipation (ranging from mild to severe in intensity, all non-serious) were reported for five patients (5 percent) in the JANUVIA group and zero patients in the placebo group. Mean weight loss from baseline was 1.1 kg in patients treated with JANUVIA (p=0.079) and 1.7 kg in patients given placebo (p=0.010).
An important predictive factor of the magnitude of A1C reduction in response to anti-hyperglycemic therapy is a patient’s starting level of A1C ? the higher the starting level of A1C, the greater the expected reduction in A1C following treatment, and this was observed in this study. In a subgroup analysis of patients grouped by severity of starting baseline A1C, the mean placebo-adjusted reduction was 1.6 percent for patients with baseline A1C of 9.0 percent or more (n=13), while placebo-adjusted reductions of 0.9 percent and 0.5 percent were seen with baseline A1C values of 8 to less than 9 percent (n=20) and less than 8 percent (n=68), respectively (p=0.043, for treatment by subgroup interaction).
Type 2 diabetes in the elderly
Type 2 diabetes can be difficult and complicated to treat in older patients. Treatments for elderly patients must be selected with care, in light of the frequent presence of comorbidities or other medication use. Achieving target glycemic goals while avoiding low blood sugar can also be a challenge for aging patients with type 2 diabetes, as advanced age itself can contribute to the risk of hypoglycemia.
Recognition of hypoglycemia may be diminished in the elderly. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, headache, pale skin color, sudden moodiness or behavior changes, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion and unconsciousness.
Use of JANUVIA in the elderly
Of the total number of subjects (n=3,884) in pre-approval clinical safety and efficacy studies of JANUVIA, 725 patients were 65 years and over, while 61 patients were 75 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between subjects 65 years and over and younger subjects. While this and other reported clinical experience have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection in the elderly, and it may be useful to assess renal function in these patients prior to initiating dosing and periodically thereafter.
Additional Information about JANUVIA
In controlled clinical studies as both monotherapy and combination therapy with metformin or pioglitazone, the overall incidences of adverse reactions, hypoglycemia, and discontinuation of therapy due to clinical adverse reactions with JANUVIA were similar to placebo. In these clinical studies, the most common adverse reactions reported with JANUVIA (? 5 percent and higher than placebo) were stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, upper respiratory infection and headache. In clinical trials in combination with a sulfonylurea (glimepiride), with or without metformin, JANUVIA demonstrated an overall incidence of adverse reactions higher than that seen with placebo, in part related to a higher incidence of hypoglycemia.
In a pre-specified pooled analysis of two monotherapy studies, an add-on to metformin study, and an add-on to pioglitazone study, the overall incidence of adverse reactions of hypoglycemia in patients treated with JANUVIA 100 mg was similar to placebo (1.2 percent vs. 0.9 percent). Adverse reactions of hypoglycemia were based on all reports of hypoglycemia; a concurrent glucose measurement was not required. In an additional, 24-week, placebo-controlled factorial study of initial therapy with sitagliptin in combination with metformin, the incidence of hypoglycemia was 0.6 percent in patients given placebo, 0.6 percent in patients given sitagliptin alone, 0.8 percent in patients given metformin alone and 1.6 percent in patients given sitagliptin in combination with metformin.
Dosing of JANUVIA
The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100 mg once daily, with or without food, for all approved indications. No dosage adjustment is needed for patients with mild to moderate hepatic insufficiency or in patients with mild renal insufficiency (CrCl ? 50 mL/min). To achieve plasma concentrations of JANUVIA similar to those in patients with normal renal function, lower dosages are recommended in patients with moderate and severe renal insufficiency as well as in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients requiring hemodialysis. For patients with moderate renal insufficiency (CrCl ? 30 to
Selected cautionary information for JANUVIA
Because JANUVIA is renally eliminated, and to achieve plasma concentrations of JANUVIA similar to those in patients with normal renal function, a dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate renal insufficiency and in patients with severe renal insufficiency or with ESRD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Safety and effectiveness of JANUVIA in pediatric patients have not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. JANUVIA should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known whether sitagliptin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when JANUVIA is administered to a nursing woman. There have been post-marketing reports of hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA. These reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first three months after initiation of treatment with JANUVIA, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue JANUVIA, assess for other potential causes for the event and institute alternative treatment for diabetes.
There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with JANUVIA or any other anti-diabetic drug.
Expanding clinical development program for sitagliptin family
Merck’s clinical development program for sitagliptin is robust and continues to expand with 55 studies completed or underway. It is estimated that approximately 7,400 patients have been treated with sitagliptin out of about 12,000 patients who have participated in the Company’s clinical studies. Additionally, in clinical studies, approximately 2,300 patients have been treated with sitagliptin for more than one year and, of these, approximately 500 patients have been treated for at least two years.
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit http://www.merck.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck’s business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck’s Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in the Company’s periodic reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.
JANUVIA? is a trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
Prescribing information and patient product information for JANUVIA are attached.
1 A1C is a measure of a person’s average blood glucose over a two- to three-month period.
JANUVIA?
(sitagliptin) Tablets
9762706
HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
These highlights do not include all the information needed to use JANUVIA safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for JANUVIA.
JANUVIA? (sitagliptin) Tablets
Initial U.S. Approval: 2006
RECENT MAJOR CHANGES
Warnings and Precautions
Macrovascular Outcomes (5.4) 07/2008
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
JANUVIA is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (1.1)
Important Limitations of Use:
JANUVIA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. (1.2) JANUVIA has not been studied in combination with insulin. (1.2) DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100?mg once daily. JANUVIA can be taken with or without food. (2.1)
Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with moderate or severe renal insufficiency or end-stage renal disease. (2.2)
Dosage Adjustment in Patients With Moderate, Severe and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (2.2) 50 mg once daily 25 mg once daily Moderate
?
CrCl >=30 to 1.7? 1.5?
?
Severe and ESRD
?
CrCl 3.0;Women: >2.5;or on dialysis
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Tablets: 100?mg, 50?mg, and 25?mg (3)
CONTRAINDICATIONS
History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema (5.3, 6.2)
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal insufficiency and in patients with ESRD. Assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiating JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. (2.2, 5.1) When used with a sulfonylurea, a lower dose of sulfonylurea may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. (2.3, 5.2) There have been postmarketing reports of serious allergic and hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. In such cases, promptly stop JANUVIA, assess for other potential causes, institute appropriate monitoring and treatment, and initiate alternative treatment for diabetes. (5.3, 6.2) There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with JANUVIA or any other anti-diabetic drug. (5.4) ADVERSE REACTIONS
Adverse reactions reported in >=5% of patients treated with JANUVIA and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are: upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis and headache. Hypoglycemia was also reported more commonly in patients treated with the combination of JANUVIA and sulfonylurea, with or without metformin, than in patients given the combination of placebo and sulfonylurea, with or without metformin. (6.1)
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck & Co., Inc. at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Safety and effectiveness of JANUVIA in children under 18 years have not been established. (8.4) There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. To report drug exposure during pregnancy call 1-800-986-8999. (8.1) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and FDA-approved patient labeling.
Revised: 10/2008
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy
1.2 Important Limitations of Use
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosing
2.2 Patients with Renal Insufficiency
2.3 Concomitant Use with a Sulfonylurea
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Use in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
5.2 Use with Medications Known to Cause Hypoglycemia
5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions
5.4 Macrovascular Outcomes
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1 Digoxin
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
8.3 Nursing Mothers
8.4 Pediatric Use
8.5 Geriatric Use
10 OVERDOSAGE
11 DESCRIPTION
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
14 CLINICAL STUDIES
14.1 Monotherapy
14.2 Combination Therapy
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
17.1 Instructions
17.2 Laboratory Tests
*Sections or subsections omitted from the full prescribing information are not listed.
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy
JANUVIA1 is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [See Clinical Studies (14).]
1.2 Important Limitations of Use
JANUVIA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings.
JANUVIA has not been studied in combination with insulin.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosing
The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100?mg once daily. JANUVIA can be taken with or without food.
2.2 Patients with Renal Insufficiency
For patients with mild renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance [CrCl] >=50?mL/min, approximately corresponding to serum creatinine levels of
For patients with moderate renal insufficiency (CrCl >=30 to 1.7 to 1.5 to
For patients with severe renal insufficiency (CrCl 3.0?mg/dL in men and >2.5?mg/dL in women) or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, the dose of JANUVIA is 25?mg once daily. JANUVIA may be administered without regard to the timing of hemodialysis.
Because there is a need for dosage adjustment based upon renal function, assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiation of JANUVIA and periodically thereafter. Creatinine clearance can be estimated from serum creatinine using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).]
2.3 Concomitant Use with a Sulfonylurea
When JANUVIA is used in combination with a sulfonylurea, a lower dose of sulfonylurea may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2).]
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
— 100?mg tablets are beige, round, film-coated tablets with “277″ on one side.
— 50?mg tablets are light beige, round, film-coated tablets with “112″ on one side.
— 25?mg tablets are pink, round, film-coated tablets with “221″ on one side.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to sitagliptin, such as anaphylaxis or angioedema. [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Adverse Reactions (6.2).]
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Use in Patients with Renal Insufficiency
A dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate or severe renal insufficiency and in patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. [See Dosage and Administration (2.2); Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).]
5.2 Use with Medications Known to Cause Hypoglycemia
As is typical with other antihyperglycemic agents used in combination with a sulfonylurea, when JANUVIA was used in combination with a sulfonylurea, a class of medications known to cause hypoglycemia, the incidence of hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo. [See Adverse Reactions (6.1).] Therefore, a lower dose of sulfonylurea may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. [See Dosage and Administration (2.3).]
5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions
There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA. These reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first 3 months after initiation of treatment with JANUVIA, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue JANUVIA, assess for other potential causes for the event, and institute alternative treatment for diabetes. [See Adverse Reactions (6.2).]
5.4 Macrovascular Outcomes
There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with JANUVIA or any other anti-diabetic drug.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In controlled clinical studies as both monotherapy and combination therapy with metformin or pioglitazone, the overall incidence of adverse reactions, hypoglycemia, and discontinuation of therapy due to clinical adverse reactions with JANUVIA were similar to placebo. In combination with glimepiride, with or without metformin, the overall incidence of clinical adverse reactions with JANUVIA was higher than with placebo, in part related to a higher incidence of hypoglycemia (see Table?1); the incidence of discontinuation due to clinical adverse reactions was similar to placebo.
Two placebo-controlled monotherapy studies, one of 18- and one of 24-week duration, included patients treated with JANUVIA 100?mg daily, JANUVIA 200?mg daily, and placebo. Three 24-week, placebo-controlled add-on combination therapy studies, one with metformin, one with pioglitazone, and one with glimepiride with or without metformin, were also conducted. In addition to a stable dose of metformin, pioglitazone, glimepiride, or glimepiride and metformin, patients whose diabetes was not adequately controlled were given either JANUVIA 100?mg daily or placebo. The adverse reactions, reported regardless of investigator assessment of causality in >=5% of patients treated with JANUVIA 100?mg daily as monotherapy, JANUVIA in combination with pioglitazone, or JANUVIA in combination with glimepiride, with or without metformin, and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo, are shown in Table?1.
Table 1
Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies of JANUVIA Monotherapy or Add-on Combination Therapy with Pioglitazone or Glimepiride +/- Metformin: Adverse Reactions Reported in >=5% of Patients and More Commonly than in Patients Given Placebo, Regardless of Investigator Assessment of Causality?
?
? Number of Patients (%) Monotherapy JANUVIA 100 mg Placebo ? N = 443 N = 363 Nasopharyngitis 23 (5.2) 12 (3.3) Combination with Pioglitazone JANUVIA 100 mg + Pioglitazone
Placebo + Pioglitazone
? N = 175 N = 178 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 11 (6.3) 6 (3.4) Headache 9 (5.1) 7 (3.9) Combination with Glimepiride (+/- Metformin) JANUVIA 100 mg + Glimepiride
(+/- Metformin)
Placebo + Glimepiride
(+/- Metformin)
? N = 222 N = 219 Hypoglycemia 27 (12.2) 4 (1.8) Nasopharyngitis 14 (6.3) 10 (4.6) Headache 13 (5.9) 5 (2.3) ? Intent to treat population
In the study of patients receiving JANUVIA as add-on combination therapy with metformin, there were no adverse reactions reported regardless of investigator assessment of causality in ?5% of patients and more commonly than in patients given placebo.
In the prespecified pooled analysis of the two monotherapy studies, the add-on to metformin study, and the add-on to pioglitazone study, the overall incidence of adverse reactions of hypoglycemia in patients treated with JANUVIA 100?mg was similar to placebo (1.2% vs 0.9%). Adverse reactions of hypoglycemia were based on all reports of hypoglycemia; a concurrent glucose measurement was not required. The incidence of selected gastrointestinal adverse reactions in patients treated with JANUVIA was as follows: abdominal pain (JANUVIA 100?mg, 2.3%; placebo, 2.1%), nausea (1.4%, 0.6%), and diarrhea (3.0%, 2.3%).
In an additional, 24-week, placebo-controlled factorial study of initial therapy with sitagliptin in combination with metformin, the adverse reactions reported (regardless of investigator assessment of causality) in >=5% of patients are shown in Table 2. The incidence of hypoglycemia was 0.6% in patients given placebo, 0.6% in patients given sitagliptin alone, 0.8% in patients given metformin alone, and 1.6% in patients given sitagliptin in combination with metformin.
Table 2
Initial Therapy with Combination of Sitagliptin and Metformin:
Adverse Reactions Reported (Regardless of Investigator Assessment of Causality) in >=5% of PatientsReceiving Combination Therapy (and Greater than in Patients Receiving Metformin alone, Sitagliptinalone, and Placebo)?
? Number of Patients (%) ? Placebo
Sitagliptin(JANUVIA)100 mg QD
Metformin500 or 1000 mg bid ??
Sitagliptin50 mg bid +Metformin500 or 1000 mg bid ??
? N = 176 N = 179 N = 364?? N = 372?? Upper Respiratory Infection 9 (5.1) 8 (4.5) 19 (5.2) 23 (6.2) Headache 5 (2.8) 2 (1.1) 14 (3.8) 22 (5.9) ? Intent-to-treat population.?? Data pooled for the patients given the lower and higher doses of metformin.
No clinically meaningful changes in vital signs or in ECG (including in QTc interval) were observed in patients treated with JANUVIA.
Laboratory Tests
Across clinical studies, the incidence of laboratory adverse reactions was similar in patients treated with JANUVIA 100?mg compared to patients treated with placebo. A small increase in white blood cell count (WBC) was observed due to an increase in neutrophils. This increase in WBC (of approximately 200 cells/microL vs placebo, in four pooled placebo-controlled clinical studies, with a mean baseline WBC count of approximately 6600 cells/microL) is not considered to be clinically relevant. In a 12-week study of 91 patients with chronic renal insufficiency, 37 patients with moderate renal insufficiency were randomized to JANUVIA 50?mg daily, while 14 patients with the same magnitude of renal impairment were randomized to placebo. Mean (SE) increases in serum creatinine were observed in patients treated with JANUVIA [0.12?mg/dL (0.04)] and in patients treated with placebo [0.07?mg/dL (0.07)]. The clinical significance of this added increase in serum creatinine relative to placebo is not known.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of JANUVIA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Hypersensitivity reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, and exfoliative skin conditions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]; hepatic enzyme elevations.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1 Digoxin
There was a slight increase in the area under the curve (AUC, 11%) and mean peak drug concentration (Cmax, 18%) of digoxin with the co-administration of 100?mg sitagliptin for 10 days. Patients receiving digoxin should be monitored appropriately. No dosage adjustment of digoxin or JANUVIA is recommended.
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category?B:
Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and rabbits. Doses of sitagliptin up to 125?mg/kg (approximately 12 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose) did not impair fertility or harm the fetus. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Merck & Co., Inc. maintains a registry to monitor the pregnancy outcomes of women exposed to JANUVIA while pregnant. Health care providers are encouraged to report any prenatal exposure to JANUVIA by calling the Pregnancy Registry at (800) 986-8999.
Sitagliptin administered to pregnant female rats and rabbits from gestation day 6 to 20 (organogenesis) was not teratogenic at oral doses up to 250?mg/kg (rats) and 125?mg/kg (rabbits), or approximately 30- and 20-times human exposure at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 100?mg/day based on AUC comparisons. Higher doses increased the incidence of rib malformations in offspring at 1000?mg/kg, or approximately 100 times human exposure at the MRHD.
Sitagliptin administered to female rats from gestation day 6 to lactation day 21 decreased body weight in male and female offspring at 1000?mg/kg. No functional or behavioral toxicity was observed in offspring of rats.
Placental transfer of sitagliptin administered to pregnant rats was approximately 45% at 2 hours and 80% at 24 hours postdose. Placental transfer of sitagliptin administered to pregnant rabbits was approximately 66% at 2 hours and 30% at 24 hours.
8.3 Nursing Mothers
Sitagliptin is secreted in the milk of lactating rats at a milk to plasma ratio of 4:1. It is not known whether sitagliptin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when JANUVIA is administered to a nursing woman.
8.4 Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of JANUVIA in pediatric patients under 18 years of age have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use
Of the total number of subjects (N=3884) in pre-approval clinical safety and efficacy studies of JANUVIA, 725 patients were 65 years and over, while 61 patients were 75 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between subjects 65 years and over and younger subjects. While this and other reported clinical experience have not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.
This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection in the elderly, and it may be useful to assess renal function in these patients prior to initiating dosing and periodically thereafter [see Dosage and Administration (2.2); Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
10 OVERDOSAGE
During controlled clinical trials in healthy subjects, single doses of up to 800?mg JANUVIA were administered. Maximal mean increases in QTc of 8.0?msec were observed in one study at a dose of 800?mg JANUVIA, a mean effect that is not considered clinically important [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. There is no experience with doses above 800?mg in humans. In Phase?I multiple-dose studies, there were no dose-related clinical adverse reactions observed with JANUVIA with doses of up to 600 mg per day for periods of up to 10 days and 400?mg per day for up to 28 days.
In the event of an overdose, it is reasonable to employ the usual supportive measures, e.g., remove unabsorbed material from the gastrointestinal tract, employ clinical monitoring (including obtaining an electrocardiogram), and institute supportive therapy as dictated by the patient’s clinical status.
Sitagliptin is modestly dialyzable. In clinical studies, approximately 13.5% of the dose was removed over a 3- to 4-hour hemodialysis session. Prolonged hemodialysis may be considered if clinically appropriate. It is not known if sitagliptin is dialyzable by peritoneal dialysis.
11 DESCRIPTION
JANUVIA Tablets contain sitagliptin phosphate, an orally-active inhibitor of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme.
Sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate is described chemically as 7-[(3R)-3-amino-1-oxo-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine phosphate (1:1) monohydrate.
The empirical formula is C16H15F6N5O?H3PO4?H2O and the molecular weight is 523.32. The structural formula is:
(Graphic Omitted)
Sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate is a white to off-white, crystalline, non-hygroscopic powder. It is soluble in water and N,N-dimethyl formamide; slightly soluble in methanol; very slightly soluble in ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile; and insoluble in isopropanol and isopropyl acetate.
Each film-coated tablet of JANUVIA contains 32.13, 64.25, or 128.5?mg of sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate, which is equivalent to 25, 50, or 100?mg, respectively, of free base and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and sodium stearyl fumarate. In addition, the film coating contains the following inactive ingredients: polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, and yellow iron oxide.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor, which is believed to exert its actions in patients with type 2 diabetes by slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones. Concentrations of the active intact hormones are increased by JANUVIA, thereby increasing and prolonging the action of these hormones. Incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are released by the intestine throughout the day, and levels are increased in response to a meal. These hormones are rapidly inactivated by the enzyme, DPP-4. The incretins are part of an endogenous system involved in the physiologic regulation of glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose concentrations are normal or elevated, GLP-1 and GIP increase insulin synthesis and release from pancreatic beta cells by intracellular signaling pathways involving cyclic AMP. GLP-1 also lowers glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, leading to reduced hepatic glucose production. By increasing and prolonging active incretin levels, JANUVIA increases insulin release and decreases glucagon levels in the circulation in a glucose-dependent manner. Sitagliptin demonstrates selectivity for DPP-4 and does not inhibit DPP-8 or DPP-9 activity in vitro at concentrations approximating those from therapeutic doses.
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
General
In patients with type 2 diabetes, administration of JANUVIA led to inhibition of DPP-4 enzyme activity for a 24-hour period. After an oral glucose load or a meal, this DPP-4 inhibition resulted in a 2- to 3-fold increase in circulating levels of active GLP-1 and GIP, decreased glucagon concentrations, and increased responsiveness of insulin release to glucose, resulting in higher C-peptide and insulin concentrations. The rise in insulin with the decrease in glucagon was associated with lower fasting glucose concentrations and reduced glucose excursion following an oral glucose load or a meal.
In a two-day study in healthy subjects, sitagliptin alone increased active GLP-1 concentrations, whereas metformin alone increased active and total GLP-1 concentrations to similar extents. Co-administration of sitagliptin and metformin had an additive effect on active GLP-1 concentrations. Sitagliptin, but not metformin, increased active GIP concentrations. It is unclear how these findings relate to changes in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
In studies with healthy subjects, JANUVIA did not lower blood glucose or cause hypoglycemia.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, 79 healthy subjects were administered a single oral dose of JANUVIA 100?mg, JANUVIA 800?mg (8 times the recommended dose), and placebo. At the recommended dose of 100?mg, there was no effect on the QTc interval obtained at the peak plasma concentration, or at any other time during the study. Following the 800?mg dose, the maximum increase in the placebo-corrected mean change in QTc from baseline was observed at 3 hours postdose and was 8.0?msec. This increase is not considered to be clinically significant. At the 800?mg dose, peak sitagliptin plasma concentrations were approximately 11 times higher than the peak concentrations following a 100?mg dose.
In patients with type 2 diabetes administered JANUVIA 100?mg (N=81) or JANUVIA 200?mg (N=63) daily, there were no meaningful changes in QTc interval based on ECG data obtained at the time of expected peak plasma concentration.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin has been extensively characterized in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes. After oral administration of a 100?mg dose to healthy subjects, sitagliptin was rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations (median Tmax) occurring 1 to 4 hours postdose. Plasma AUC of sitagliptin increased in a dose-proportional manner. Following a single oral 100?mg dose to healthy volunteers, mean plasma AUC of sitagliptin was 8.52 ?M?hr, Cmax was 950?nM, and apparent terminal half-life (t1/2) was 12.4 hours. Plasma AUC of sitagliptin increased approximately 14% following 100?mg doses at steady-state compared to the first dose. The intra-subject and inter-subject coefficients of variation for sitagliptin AUC were small (5.8% and 15.1%). The pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin was generally similar in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Absorption
The absolute bioavailability of sitagliptin is approximately 87%. Because coadministration of a high-fat meal with JANUVIA had no effect on the pharmacokinetics, JANUVIA may be administered with or without food.
Distribution
The mean volume of distribution at steady state following a single 100?mg intravenous dose of sitagliptin to healthy subjects is approximately 198 liters. The fraction of sitagliptin reversibly bound to plasma proteins is low (38%).
Metabolism
Approximately 79% of sitagliptin is excreted unchanged in the urine with metabolism being a minor pathway of elimination.
Following a [14C]sitagliptin oral dose, approximately 16% of the radioactivity was excreted as metabolites of sitagliptin. Six metabolites were detected at trace levels and are not expected to contribute to the plasma DPP-4 inhibitory activity of sitagliptin. In vitro studies indicated that the primary enzyme responsible for the limited metabolism of sitagliptin was CYP3A4, with contribution from CYP2C8.
Excretion
Following administration of an oral [14C]sitagliptin dose to healthy subjects, approximately 100% of the administered radioactivity was eliminated in feces (13%) or urine (87%) within one week of dosing. The apparent terminal t1/2 following a 100?mg oral dose of sitagliptin was approximately 12.4 hours and renal clearance was approximately 350?mL/min.
Elimination of sitagliptin occurs primarily via renal excretion and involves active tubular secretion. Sitagliptin is a substrate for human organic anion transporter-3 (hOAT-3), which may be involved in the renal elimination of sitagliptin. The clinical relevance of hOAT-3 in sitagliptin transport has not been established. Sitagliptin is also a substrate of p-glycoprotein, which may also be involved in mediating the renal elimination of sitagliptin. However, cyclosporine, a p-glycoprotein inhibitor, did not reduce the renal clearance of sitagliptin.
Special Populations
Renal Insufficiency
A single-dose, open-label study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of JANUVIA (50?mg dose) in patients with varying degrees of chronic renal insufficiency compared to normal healthy control subjects. The study included patients with renal insufficiency classified on the basis of creatinine clearance as mild (50 to
CrCl = [140 - age (years)] x weight (kg)
???????[72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL)]
Compared to normal healthy control subjects, an approximate 1.1- to 1.6-fold increase in plasma AUC of sitagliptin was observed in patients with mild renal insufficiency. Because increases of this magnitude are not clinically relevant, dosage adjustment in patients with mild renal insufficiency is not necessary. Plasma AUC levels of sitagliptin were increased approximately 2-fold and 4-fold in patients with moderate renal insufficiency and in patients with severe renal insufficiency, including patients with ESRD on hemodialysis, respectively. Sitagliptin was modestly removed by hemodialysis (13.5% over a 3- to 4-hour hemodialysis session starting 4 hours postdose). To achieve plasma concentrations of sitagliptin similar to those in patients with normal renal function, lower dosages are recommended in patients with moderate and severe renal insufficiency, as well as in ESRD patients requiring hemodialysis. [See Dosage and Administration (2.2).]
Hepatic Insufficiency
In patients with moderate hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9), mean AUC and Cmax of sitagliptin increased approximately 21% and 13%, respectively, compared to healthy matched controls following administration of a single 100?mg dose of JANUVIA. These differences are not considered to be clinically meaningful. No dosage adjustment for JANUVIA is necessary for patients with mild or moderate hepatic insufficiency.
There is no clinical experience in patients with severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh score >9).
Body Mass Index (BMI)
No dosage adjustment is necessary based on BMI. Body mass index had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin based on a composite analysis of Phase I pharmacokinetic data and on a population pharmacokinetic analysis of Phase I and Phase II data.
Gender
No dosage adjustment is necessary based on gender. Gender had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin based on a composite analysis of Phase I pharmacokinetic data and on a population pharmacokinetic analysis of Phase I and Phase II data.
Geriatric
No dosage adjustment is required based solely on age. When the effects of age on renal function are taken into account, age alone did not have a clinically meaningful impact on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis. Elderly subjects (65 to 80 years) had approximately 19% higher plasma concentrations of sitagliptin compared to younger subjects.
Pediatric
Studies characterizing the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin in pediatric patients have not been performed.
Race
No dosage adjustment is necessary based on race. Race had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin based on a composite analysis of available pharmacokinetic data, including subjects of white, Hispanic, black, Asian, and other racial groups.
Drug Interactions
In Vitro Assessment of Drug Interactions
Sitagliptin is not an inhibitor of CYP isozymes CYP3A4, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, 1A2, 2C19 or 2B6, and is not an inducer of CYP3A4. Sitagliptin is a p-glycoprotein substrate, but does not inhibit p-glycoprotein mediated transport of digoxin. Based on these results, sitagliptin is considered unlikely to cause interactions with other drugs that utilize these pathways.
Sitagliptin is not extensively bound to plasma proteins. Therefore, the propensity of sitagliptin to be involved in clinically meaningful drug-drug interactions mediated by plasma protein binding displacement is very low.
In Vivo Assessment of Drug Interactions
Effects of Sitagliptin on Other Drugs
In clinical studies, as described below, sitagliptin did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics of metformin, glyburide, simvastatin, rosiglitazone, warfarin, or oral contraceptives, providing in vivo evidence of a low propensity for causing drug interactions with substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and organic cationic transporter (OCT).
Digoxin: Sitagliptin had a minimal effect on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin. Following administration of 0.25?mg digoxin concomitantly with 100?mg of JANUVIA daily for 10 days, the plasma AUC of digoxin was increased by 11%, and the plasma Cmax by 18%.
Metformin: Co-administration of multiple twice-daily doses of sitagliptin with metformin, an OCT substrate, did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics of metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, sitagliptin is not an inhibitor of OCT-mediated transport.
Sulfonylureas: Single-dose pharmacokinetics of glyburide, a CYP2C9 substrate, was not meaningfully altered in subjects receiving multiple doses of sitagliptin. Clinically meaningful interactions would not be expected with other sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, tolbutamide, and glimepiride) which, like glyburide, are primarily eliminated by CYP2C9.
Simvastatin: Single-dose pharmacokinetics of simvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, was not meaningfully altered in subjects receiving multiple daily doses of sitagliptin. Therefore, sitagliptin is not an inhibitor of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism.
Thiazolidinediones: Single-dose pharmacokinetics of rosiglitazone was not meaningfully altered in subjects receiving multiple daily doses of sitagliptin, indicating that JANUVIA is not an inhibitor of CYP2C8-mediated metabolism.
Warfarin: Multiple daily doses of sitagliptin did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics, as assessed by measurement of S(-) or R(+) warfarin enantiomers, or pharmacodynamics (as assessed by measurement of prothrombin INR) of a single dose of warfarin. Because S(-) warfarin is primarily metabolized by CYP2C9, these data also support the conclusion that sitagliptin is not a CYP2C9 inhibitor.
Oral Contraceptives: Co-administration with sitagliptin did not meaningfully alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of norethindrone or ethinyl estradiol.
Effects of Other Drugs on Sitagliptin
Clinical data described below suggest that sitagliptin is not susceptible to clinically meaningful interactions by co-administered medications.
Metformin: Co-administration of multiple twice-daily doses of metformin with sitagliptin did not meaningfully alter the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cyclosporine: A study was conducted to assess the effect of cyclosporine, a potent inhibitor of p-glycoprotein, on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin. Co-administration of a single 100?mg oral dose of JANUVIA and a single 600?mg oral dose of cyclosporine increased the AUC and Cmax of sitagliptin by approximately 29% and 68%, respectively. These modest changes in sitagliptin pharmacokinetics were not considered to be clinically meaningful. The renal clearance of sitagliptin was also not meaningfully altered. Therefore, meaningful interactions would not be expected with other p-glycoprotein inhibitors.
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment?of?Fertility
A two-year carcinogenicity study was conducted in male and female rats given oral doses of sitagliptin of 50, 150, and 500?mg/kg/day. There was an increased incidence of combined liver adenoma/carcinoma in males and females and of liver carcinoma in females at 500?mg/kg. This dose results in exposures approximately 60 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended daily adult human dose (MRHD) of 100?mg/day based on AUC comparisons. Liver tumors were not observed at 150?mg/kg, approximately 20 times the human exposure at the MRHD. A two-year carcinogenicity study was conducted in male and female mice given oral doses of sitagliptin of 50, 125, 250, and 500?mg/kg/day. There was no increase in the incidence of tumors in any organ up to 500?mg/kg, approximately 70 times human exposure at the MRHD. Sitagliptin was not mutagenic or clastogenic with or without metabolic activation in the Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay, a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) chromosome aberration assay, an in vitro cytogenetics assay in CHO, an in vitro rat hepatocyte DNA alkaline elution assay, and an in vivo micronucleus assay.
In rat fertility studies with oral gavage doses of 125, 250, and 1000?mg/kg, males were treated for 4 weeks prior to mating, during mating, up to scheduled termination (approximately 8 weeks total) and females were treated 2 weeks prior to mating through gestation day 7. No adverse effect on fertility was observed at 125?mg/kg (approximately 12 times human exposure at the MRHD of 100?mg/day based on AUC comparisons). At higher doses, nondose-related increased resorptions in females were observed (approximately 25 and 100 times human exposure at the MRHD based on AUC comparison).
14 CLINICAL STUDIES
There were approximately 3800 patients with type 2 diabetes randomized in six double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical safety and efficacy studies conducted to evaluate the effects of sitagliptin on glycemic control. The ethnic/racial distribution in these studies was approximately 60% white, 20% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 6% black, and 6% other groups. Patients had an overall mean age of approximately 55 years (range 18 to 87 years). In addition, an active (glipizide)-controlled study of 52-weeks duration was conducted in 1172 patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycemic control on metformin.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with JANUVIA produced clinically significant improvements in hemoglobin A1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour post-prandial glucose (PPG) compared to placebo.
14.1 Monotherapy
A total of 1262 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, one of 18-week and another of 24-week duration, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JANUVIA monotherapy. In both monotherapy studies, patients currently on an antihyperglycemic agent discontinued the agent, and underwent a diet, exercise, and drug washout period of about 7 weeks. Patients with inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7% to 10%) after the washout period were randomized after completing a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period; patients not currently on antihyperglycemic agents (off therapy for at least 8 weeks) with inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7% to 10%) were randomized after completing the 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period. In the 18-week study, 521 patients were randomized to placebo, JANUVIA 100?mg, or JANUVIA 200?mg, and in the 24-week study 741 patients were randomized to placebo, JANUVIA 100?mg, or JANUVIA 200?mg. Patients who failed to meet specific glycemic goals during the studies were treated with metformin rescue, added on to placebo or JANUVIA.
Treatment with JANUVIA at 100?mg daily provided significant improvements in A1C, FPG, and 2-hour PPG compared to placebo (Table 3). In the 18-week study, 9% of patients receiving JANUVIA 100?mg and 17% who received placebo required rescue therapy. In the 24-week study, 9% of patients receiving JANUVIA 100?mg and 21% of patients receiving placebo required rescue therapy. The improvement in A1C compared to placebo was not affected by gender, age, race, prior antihyperglycemic therapy, or baseline?BMI. As is typical for trials of agents to treat type 2 diabetes, the mean reduction in A1C with JANUVIA appears to be related to the degree of A1C elevation at baseline. In these 18- and 24-week studies, among patients who were not on an antihyperglycemic agent at study entry, the reductions from baseline in A1C were -0.7% and -0.8%, respectively, for those given JANUVIA, and -0.1% and -0.2%, respectively, for those given placebo. Overall, the 200?mg daily dose did not provide greater glycemic efficacy than the 100?mg daily dose. The effect of JANUVIA on lipid endpoints was similar to placebo. Body weight did not increase from baseline with JANUVIA therapy in either study, compared to a small reduction in patients given placebo.
Table 3 Glycemic Parameters in 18- and 24-Week Placebo-Controlled Studies of JANUVIA in Patients
with Type 2 Diabetes?
? ? 18-Week Study ? 24-Week Study ? ? JANUVIA 100 mg ? Placebo ? JANUVIA 100 mg ? Placebo A1C (%) ? N = 193 ? N = 103 ? N = 229 ? N = 244 Baseline (mean) ? 8.0 ? 8.1 ? 8.0 ? 8.0 Change from baseline (adjusted mean?) ? -0.5 ? 0.1 ? -0.6 ? 0.2 Difference from placebo (adjusted mean?)(95% CI)
? -0.6? (-0.8, -0.4) ? ? ? -0.8? (-1.0, -0.6) ? ? Patients (%) achieving A1C
? -20?(-31, -9) ? ? ? -17?(-24, -10) ? ? 2-hour PPG (mg/dL)
? %
? %
? N = 201
? N = 204
Baseline (mean) ? ? ? ? ? 257 ? 271 Change from baseline (adjusted mean?) ? ? ? ? ? -49 ? -2 Difference from placebo (adjusted mean?)(95% CI)
? ? ? ? ? -47?(-59, -34) ? ? ? Intent to Treat Population using last observation on study prior to metformin rescue therapy.? Least squares means adjusted for prior antihyperglycemic therapy status and baseline value.? p
Additional Monotherapy Study
A multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was also conducted to assess the safety and tolerability of JANUVIA in 91 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance
14.2 Combination Therapy
Add-on Combination Therapy with Metformin
A total of 701 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the efficacy of JANUVIA in combination with metformin. Patients already on metformin (N=431) at a dose of at least 1500?mg per day were randomized after completing a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period. Patients on metformin and another antihyperglycemic agent (N=229) and patients not on any antihyperglycemic agents (off therapy for at least 8 weeks, N=41) were randomized after a run-in period of approximately 10 weeks on metformin (at a dose of at least 1500?mg per day) in monotherapy. Patients with inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7% to 10%) were randomized to the addition of either 100?mg of JANUVIA or placebo, administered once daily. Patients who failed to meet specific glycemic goals during the studies were treated with pioglitazone rescue.
In combination with metformin, JANUVIA provided significant improvements in A1C, FPG, and 2-hour PPG compared to placebo with metformin (Table 4). Rescue glycemic therapy was used in 5% of patients treated with JANUVIA 100?mg and 14% of patients treated with placebo. A similar decrease in body weight was observed for both treatment groups.
Table 4 Glycemic Parameters at Final Visit (24-Week Study)
for JANUVIA in Add-on Combination Therapy with Metformin?
? ? JANUVIA 100 mg +Metformin
? Placebo +Metformin
A1C (%) ? N = 453 ? N = 224 Baseline (mean) ? 8.0 ? 8.0 Change from baseline (adjusted mean?) ? -0.7 ? -0.0 Difference from placebo + metformin (adjusted mean?)(95% CI)
? -0.7? (-0.8, -0.5) ? ? Patients (%) achieving A1C
? -25?(-31, -20) ? ? 2-hour PPG (mg/dL) ? N = 387 ? N = 182 Baseline (mean) ? 275 ? 272 Change from baseline (adjusted mean?) ? -62 ? -11 Difference from placebo + metformin (adjusted mean?)(95% CI)
? -51?(-61, -41) ? ? ? Intent to Treat Population using last observation on study prior to pioglitazone rescue therapy.? Least squares means adjusted for prior antihyperglycemic therapy and baseline value.? p
Initial Combination Therapy with Metformin
A total of 1091 patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control on diet and exercise participated in a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled factorial study designed to assess the efficacy of sitagliptin as initial therapy in combination with metformin. Patients on an antihyperglycemic agent (N=541) discontinued the agent, and underwent a diet, exercise, and drug washout period of up to 12 weeks duration. After the washout period, patients with inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7.5% to 11%) were randomized after completing a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period. Patients not on antihyperglycemic agents at study entry (N=550) with inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7.5% to 11%) immediately entered the 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period and then were randomized. Approximately equal numbers of patients were randomized to receive initial therapy with placebo, 100?mg of JANUVIA once daily, 500?mg or 1000?mg of metformin twice daily, or 50?mg of sitagliptin twice daily in combination with 500?mg or 1000?mg of metformin twice daily. Patients who failed to meet specific glycemic goals during the study were treated with glyburide (glibenclamide) rescue.
Initial therapy with the combination of JANUVIA and metformin provided significant improvements in A1C, FPG, and 2-hour PPG compared to placebo, to metformin alone, and to JANUVIA alone (Table 5, Figure 1). Mean reductions from baseline in A1C were generally greater for patients with higher baseline A1C values. For patients not on an antihyperglycemic agent at study entry, mean reductions from baseline in A1C were: JANUVIA 100 mg once daily, -1.1%; metformin 500?mg bid, -1.1%; metformin 1000?mg bid, -1.2%; sitagliptin 50?mg bid with metformin 500?mg bid, -1.6%; sitagliptin 50?mg bid with metformin 1000?mg bid, -1.9%; and for patients receiving placebo, -0.2%. Lipid effects were generally neutral. The decrease in body weight in the groups given sitagliptin in combination with metformin was similar to that in the groups given metformin alone or placebo.
Table 5 Glycemic Parameters at Final Visit (24-Week Study)
for Sitagliptin and Metformin, Alone and in Combination as Initial Therapy?
? Placebo
? Sitagliptin (JANUVIA)
100 mg QD
? Metformin
500 mg bid
? Metformin
1000 mg bid
? Sitagliptin 50 mg bid +
Metformin
500 mg bid
? Sitagliptin 50 mg bid +
Metformin
1000 mg bid
A1C (%) N = 165 ? N = 175 ? N = 178 ? N = 177 ? N = 183 ? N = 178 Baseline (mean) 8.7 ? 8.9 ? 8.9 ? 8.7 ? 8.8 ? 8.8 Change from baseline (adjusted mean?) 0.2 ? -0.7 ? -0.8 ? -1.1 ? -1.4 ? -1.9 Difference from placebo (adjusted mean?) (95% CI) ? ? -0.8?(-1.1, -0.6) ? -1.0?(-1.2, -0.8) ? -1.3?(-1.5, -1.1) ? -1.6?(-1.8, -1.3) ? -2.1?(-2.3, -1.8) Patients (%) achieving A1C
Figure 1: Mean Change from Baseline for A1C (%) over 24 Weeks with Sitagliptin and Metformin, Alone andin Combination as Initial Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes?
? (Graphic Omitted)
? ?All Patients Treated Population Least squares means adjusted for prior antihyperglycemic therapy and baseline value.
In addition, this study included patients (N=117) with more severe hyperglycemia (A1C >11% or blood glucose >280?mg/dL) who were treated with twice daily open-label JANUVIA 50?mg and metformin 1000?mg. In this group of patients, the mean baseline A1C value was 11.2%, mean FPG was 314?mg/dL, and mean 2-hour PPG was 441?mg/dL. After 24 weeks, mean decreases from baseline of -2.9% for A1C, -127?mg/dL for FPG, and -208 mg/dL for 2-hour PPG were observed.
Initial combination therapy or maintenance of combination therapy may not be appropriate for all patients. These management options are left to the discretion of the health care provider.
Active-Controlled Study vs Glipizide in Combination with Metformin
The efficacy of JANUVIA was evaluated in a 52-week, double-blind, glipizide-controlled noninferiority trial in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients not on treatment or on other antihyperglycemic agents entered a run-in treatment period of up to 12 weeks duration with metformin monotherapy (dose of ?1500 mg per day) which included washout of
Bel Marra Health comments on a recent study that shows there is a significant link between obese middle-aged women and diabetes
Toronto, ON (PRWEB) June 29, 2012
Bel Marra Health, well known for offering high-quality, specially formulated vitamins and nutritional supplements, supports a recent study that shows the tie between waistline and the risk of diabetes.
The study conducted by Addenbrooke?s Hospital in the United Kingdom was extensive; involving 30,000 middle-aged participants. They were followed and studied for 17 years. The women with a waist of at least 35 inches were more likely than obese ladies with moderately large waists to develop type 2 diabetes.
The researchers took the study a step further by comparing the waist factor with body mass index and made a surprising discovery. They determined that the diabetes risk was more closely related to waist size than to BMI.
Spokesperson for Bel Marra Health Dr. Victor Marchione says, ?Many doctors believe that the waist is a factor in the development of diabetes because the fat that surrounds the organs and intestines in the abdomen produce a lot of hormones, which can make the body resist insulin.?
Insulin is vital if you want to stave off diabetes. It turns food into energy and stores access energy that can be used later on. When we consume food insulin helps glucose move from the blood to the body?s cells. That glucose is used to make protein, fat and sugar. In between meals the insulin can help the body use the stored proteins, fats and sugars to get energized. Diabetes happens when insulin is non-existent or very low.
The glucose in our blood comes from the food that we eat. Our body tries to keep a constant supply of glucose. When there is an oversupply of glucose, the body stores it and when there is a lack of glucose, the body is stimulated to eat. The goal is to maintain a steady supply of glucose and for this to take place; the hormone insulin has to be produced in the pancreas.
Diabetes can lead to serious complications. For example, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and eye problems.
Research has shown that people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent the disease through lifestyle changes, such as losing weight. In many cases, moderate adjustments are required. Studies in the United States indicate that walking 30 minutes, 5- days a week and lowering fat and calories can prevent the onset of diabetes in people who have been listed in the high risk category.
CEO for Bel Marra Health Jim Chiang chimed in saying, ?There is no set diabetic diet; however, if you are at risk of diabetes there are diet plans that can keep your glucose on track. Nutritious foods and maintaining regular mealtimes is highly recommended to help control glucose levels. It is best to avoid food that is high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Stick with fresh fruits and vegetables.?
(SOURCE: ?U.S Department of Health and Human Services?, Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Taking Steps to Lower Your Risk of Getting Diabetes, January 2012)
Bel Marra Health, as the distributor of Glucose Control Formula offers high-quality vitamins and nutritional supplements in formulations designed to address specific health concerns. All ingredients are backed with scientific evidence. Every product is tested for safety, quality, and purity at every stage of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, Bel Marra Health products are produced only in Health Canada approved facilities, going that extra mile to ensure our health conscious customers are getting top quality products. For more information on Bel Marra Nutritionals visit http://www.belmarrahealth.com or call 1-866-531-0466.
Bel Marra Nutritionals, Inc.
100-7000 Pine Valley
Woodbridge, ON L4L 4Y8
pr(at)belmarrahealth(dot)com
866-531-0466
http://www.belmarrahealth.com