From the Guidelines
The starting dose of Januvia (sitagliptin) for patients with normal renal function is 100 mg once daily. This dose is not explicitly mentioned in the provided evidence [ 1 ], but it is a well-established recommendation in clinical practice for patients with normal kidney function. According to the evidence [ 1 ], for patients with reduced renal function, the dose of sitagliptin should be adjusted, with a maximum of 50 mg daily for those with an eGFR of 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m² and a maximum of 25 mg once daily for those with an eGFR of 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m². However, for patients with normal renal function, no such adjustment is necessary.
Some key points to consider when prescribing Januvia include:
- It can be taken with or without food at any time of day, though consistency is recommended.
- Januvia works by increasing incretin hormone levels, which stimulate insulin release and reduce glucagon secretion in response to meals.
- Common side effects may include upper respiratory infections, headache, and occasionally hypoglycemia when used with other diabetes medications.
- Januvia should be part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan that includes diet and exercise.
It's also important to note that while the provided evidence [ 1 ] discusses dose adjustments for various medications in the context of renal impairment, the standard starting dose for sitagliptin in patients with normal renal function remains 100 mg once daily, as this is a common recommendation based on the drug's pharmacokinetics and efficacy in improving glycemic control [ 1 ].
From the Research
Starting Dose for Januvia (Sitagliptin)
The starting dose for Januvia (Sitagliptin) in patients with normal renal function is:
- 100 mg once daily, as stated in the study 2
- This dose is also mentioned in the study 3, where sitagliptin was added to previous treatment of not well-controlled type 2 diabetic patients at a dose of 100 mg once daily
Key Points
- The dose of 100 mg once daily is recommended for patients with normal renal function, with no need for titration or home blood glucose monitoring 2
- Sitagliptin is generally well tolerated, with a low risk of hypoglycaemia and a neutral effect on body weight 4, 5
- The efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in combination with metformin have been evaluated in several studies, showing that it is a viable treatment option for type 2 diabetes 6