Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin is a once-daily tablet for type 2 diabetes, sold as 50mg and 100mg tablets under the Januvia and Sitagliptin names, and combined with metformin as Istamet.
Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin
50/100mg
Sitagliptin tablets in 50mg and 100mg strengths, packs of 10 to 90, a once-daily DPP-4 inhibitor that lowers blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
What sitagliptin is for
Blood sugar that stays high after meals is what sitagliptin is aimed at. It is an oral medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes — the kind where insulin no longer does its job properly, or the body does not make enough of it. It belongs to the DPP-4 inhibitors: tablets that slow the enzyme which normally clears incretins, the gut signals released after eating. Those signals then last longer, so the pancreas releases a little more insulin when sugar is high, and the liver puts out less glucose between meals. Type 1 diabetes, where no insulin is made at all, is not treated with it.
Sitagliptin, Januvia and Istamet
Three products carry sitagliptin. Sitagliptin and Januvia are the same single-ingredient tablet under two names, each in 50mg and 100mg. Istamet adds metformin: one tablet holds sitagliptin 50mg with metformin 1000mg. Metformin acts on the liver and on how the body responds to insulin, so the pair lowers blood sugar by two routes, and Istamet is taken with meals. Choose a single-ingredient tablet when sitagliptin alone is what you want. All three are in the diabetes range.
Fitting one tablet into the day
Breakfast, dinner or somewhere in between — sitagliptin does not mind, so long as the tablet goes down at about the same time each day. Adults usually take 100mg; the 50mg strength is used when kidney function is reduced, since the kidneys clear sitagliptin from the body. On its own it seldom pushes blood sugar too low, because it acts mainly when levels are already high. Combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea (older tablets such as gliclazide), that changes: low blood sugar — shakiness, sweating, hunger, a pounding heart — becomes more likely. Heavy drinking is a separate matter, unsettling blood sugar and linked to inflammation of the pancreas. Expect to keep going with it, too: sitagliptin steadies blood sugar rather than curing diabetes.
Side effects worth knowing
Most people notice very little. Headache, a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, nausea and loose stools are the complaints that come up most, and they tend to fade.
Two rare problems are worth having on the radar. One is pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas): pain that starts high in the stomach or through the middle and spreads towards the back, usually with vomiting, needs urgent treatment. The other is a serious allergic reaction — hives, or swelling of the face, lips or throat with difficulty breathing — which also needs urgent help. A few people get severe joint pain that eases once the tablets are stopped.
Sources
- Sitagliptin: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Type 2 diabetes - NHS — NHS
Where can I order Sitagliptin for delivery in Hong Kong?
Sitagliptin can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range here is Januvia (50/100mg tablets), Sitagliptin (50/100mg tablets) and Istamet (sitagliptin with metformin, 50/1000mg). Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
How are Sitagliptin prices shown?
Each of the three sitagliptin products has its own price per pack, shown on its page in HKD or your selected currency; larger packs usually cost less per unit.
Do I need a prescription to order Sitagliptin?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order sitagliptin. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does sitagliptin have?
Januvia is a brand name of sitagliptin, which is also sold as Sitaglo, Sitazit, Xelevia and Zituvio. Here, sitagliptin can be bought online as generic Januvia and sitagliptin tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Januvia the same as sitagliptin?
Yes. Januvia is the brand name for sitagliptin, and the Januvia and Sitagliptin packs both hold the same ingredient in 50mg and 100mg tablets. The difference is the name on the pack, not what is inside. Istamet is different again, because it adds metformin.
How long does sitagliptin take to work?
It works quietly in the background rather than on any single reading. The number that matters is average blood sugar over weeks, which is what an HbA1c test shows, so give it several weeks of steady once-daily tablets before judging how much it is doing.
Can I drink alcohol with sitagliptin?
Moderate drinking is not a known problem with the tablet itself, but alcohol moves blood sugar in both directions — up during a heavy session, sometimes down hours later. Heavy drinking is also linked to pancreatitis, so keeping to small amounts is the safer line, particularly if you also take insulin.
Does sitagliptin cause weight gain?
Sitagliptin is generally weight-neutral. It is not one of the diabetes treatments, such as insulin or the sulfonylureas, that commonly add kilos, and it is less likely than those to cause the low blood sugar that leaves people hungry. Any change in weight usually traces back to diet, activity or other medicines.
What happens if I miss a dose of sitagliptin?
Take it as soon as you remember, unless the next tablet is nearly due — in that case leave the missed one out and carry on as usual. Never take two at once to catch up.