According to Diabetes UK the European Commission has approved Sitagliptin ,known as Januvia, as an add-on to insulin (with or without metformin) for people with type 2 diabetes. Most type 2 diabetics can control their condition with a combination of diet, physical activity and conventional medication. Januvia was approved by the FDA in 2006 and has shown good results in type 2 diabetics.
Januvia is an oral medication for management of type 2 diabetes only. It’s the first in a class of drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors. Januvia lowers blood sugar levels by blocking an enzyme known as dipeptidyl peptidase IV or DPP-4. DPP-4 is responsible for breaking down the proteins that stimulate the insulin producing cells after a meal. If DPP-4 is inhibited, then the proteins can activate the release of insulin for a longer period of time, thereby lowering the glucose level in the blood.
