{"id":61072,"date":"2023-10-30T10:59:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T14:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61072"},"modified":"2024-03-18T18:35:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T22:35:34","slug":"zituvio-fda-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/zituvio-fda-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"FDA approves Zituvio for Type 2 diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"

People with Type 2 diabetes now have another option to help manage blood sugar. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zituvio (sitagliptin) for adults with Type 2 diabetes. Manufactured by Zydus Pharmaceuticals, this medication joins other diabetes medications with the same active ingredient that are already on the market, namely <\/span>Januvia<\/span><\/a> (sitagliptin) and <\/span>Janumet<\/span><\/a>, a metformin-sitagliptin combination medication.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This approval is noteworthy because in 2022 the <\/span>FDA found nitrosamine impurities in certain samples of sitagliptin<\/span><\/a>, raising concerns about potential shortages of these two drugs. Merck is still working to resolve the <\/span>cause of the contamination<\/span><\/a>. Prior to the approval, Zituvio underwent quality testing to ensure it was not contaminated with these potential carcinogens.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Zituvio (sitagliptin)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zituvio (<\/span>sitagliptin<\/span><\/a>) is an oral diabetes medication, taken by mouth once a day in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg dosages. Sitagliptin is used alone and also in combination with <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Metformin<\/span><\/a>, sold under the brand names Fortamet and Glumetza, is still considered the first-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes. However, <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> shows sitagliptin is an effective second-line therapy when metformin alone fails. Zituvio is most effective as an adjunct to exercise and diet to improve glycemic (blood sugar) control in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Zituvio is not indicated for people with Type 1 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Zituvio work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zituvio (<\/span>sitagliptin<\/span><\/a>) is in a class of medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Also known as gliptins, these medications work by spurring the pancreas to produce more insulin to allow your body to lower your blood sugar levels. <\/span>Other DPP-4 inhibitors<\/span><\/a> approved for Type 2 diabetes include <\/span>Onglyza (saxagliptin)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Tradjenta (linagliptin)<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Nesina (alogliptin)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the possible side effects of Zituvio?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> suggests that gliptins are generally not associated with a high incidence of adverse events. The most <\/span>common side effects<\/span><\/a> of sitagliptin include:<\/span><\/p>\n