Can sitagliptin be used for type 1 diabetes?
Sitagliptin should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes, as it will not be effective in people who do not produce any insulin.
Get Sitagliptin tablets (comparable to ZITUVIO®) for $80/month
- Available in 25, 50, 100 mg tablets
- No insurance needed
- Requires a prescription
For those managing Type 2 Diabetes, DPP-4 inhibitors have become an important treatment option. Focusing on the body’s natural ability to regulate glucose levels, this drug class has significantly expanded the therapeutic options, offering a combination of efficacy, safety, and convenience.
However, the retail cost of these popular medications can be steep, often exceeding $600 per month, which puts them out of reach for many individuals.
Generic Sitagliptin: A Cost-Effective DPP-4 Inhibitor
Sitagliptin is a medication that operates by managing blood sugar levels in the same manner as brand sitagliptin.
Generic sitagliptin is available for $80/month exclusively through Marley Drug.
How can we offer generic sitagliptin when its not available at other pharmacies?
ZITUIVO (brand sitagliptin) and generic sitagliptin entered the U.S. market in 2023. Marley Drug partnered up with their manufacturer, Zydus, to offer generic sitagliptin at an affordable cash price to all Americans. This partnership bypasses intermediaries like PBMs and insurance that contributes to high drug cost. By bypassing them we transfer the savings directly to you.
Getting generic sitagliptin for $80 per month is straightforward:
- No insurance needed
- Free shipping
- Available to anyone with a valid prescription
Sitagliptin is recommended alongside diet and exercise to enhance blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes. It is not suitable for those with Type 1 Diabetes or with a history of pancreatitis.
Download the Sitagliptin info sheet to bring to your next doctor's appointment.
About Sitagliptin
In clinical studies, sitagliptin has been shown to help lower hemoglobin A1C levels in those already taking metformin by 0.7%.
- Helps to lower blood sugar levels including A1C
- Taken once daily with or without food
- Available by prescription only
How Sitagliptin Works
To understand how sitagliptin works, it's essential to know the body's natural response to food.
As you digest food, your body releases an incretin hormone known as GLP-1. This hormone plays a critical role in lowering blood sugar by signaling the pancreas to produce more insulin and informing the brain that you're full, which helps control appetite.
However, GLP-1 doesn't last long in the bloodstream because the DPP-4 enzyme rapidly breaks it down. Sitagliptin comes into play by inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, preventing GLP-1 from being broken down too quickly. This action allows GLP-1 to remain in the bloodstream longer, providing it more time to effectively manage blood sugar levels and maintain a feeling of fullness.
What's unique about sitagliptin is its ability to adapt to the body's fluctuating needs. It intensifies its blood sugar-lowering efforts when levels are elevated and moderates when they are lower, minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia (excessively low blood sugar). This adaptability makes sitagliptin an effective and safe option for blood sugar regulation.
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Transferring your generic sitagliptin prescription to Marley Drug is easy. Fill out a simple form, and we will take it from there. All orders are confirmed with a phone call before shipping.
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Ask your healthcare provider to send your generic sitagliptin prescription to Marley Drug, or we can contact them on your behalf. Either way we do our best to make the process easy for you.
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Common Questions about Sitagliptin
Can sitagliptin be used alongside other diabetes medications?
Yes, sitagliptin is often used in combination with a number of other medications for type 2 diabetes, including sulfonylureas, metformin, and insulin.
Can sitagliptin cause weight loss?
A small decrease in weight has sometimes been observed in individuals taking sitagliptin, however the medication should not be taken for this purpose as this is not an FDA approved indication.
Can I take sitagliptin if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
There is limited data on the use of sitagliptin in humans during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and therefore the possible benefits of taking this medication should be weighed against the possible risks and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
How long should I continue taking sitagliptin?
Sitagliptin is generally taken long-term, even for the rest of your life, for glycemic control. You should not stop taking this medication unless directed to by a healthcare provider.
Can sitagliptin interact with other medications or substances?
Sitagliptin may interact with other substances or medications including other diabetes medications so it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider when starting sitagliptin or any other new medication.
Can sitagliptin be used in children and adolescents?
The effectiveness and safety of sitagliptin has not been established in children and adolescents, and therefore it’s generally not recommended to use this medication in this population.
What conditions does sitagliptin treat?
Sitagliptin can be used to lower blood sugar for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What should I do if I miss a dose of sitagliptin?
If you miss a dose of sitagliptin, take it as soon as you remember. If it's close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double up on doses.
How long does it take for sitagliptin to start working
Sitagliptin begins to work in a few hours, though the effects on blood sugar may take a few weeks to occur.
How should I take sitagliptin?
Sitagliptin is typically taken by mouth, once per day.
What are the inactive ingredients in generic sitagliptin?
All the inactive ingredients used in generic sitagliptin tablets are listed in the Inactive Ingredient Database (IIG) of the US FDA and the proposed level of each inactive ingredient is below the maximum daily exposure (MDE) level recommended in the IIG
Generic sitagliptin's main ingredient is sitagliptin base which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Inactive ingredients include:
- Anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate
- Colloidal silicone dioxide
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Malic acid
- Magnesium stearate
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Povidone
Generic sitagliptin tablets are covered by a film coating which includes the following inactive ingredients:
- Polyethylene glycol
- Polyvinyl alcohol
- Talc
- Titanium dioxide
- Ferrosoferric oxide (50 mg)
- Iron oxide yellow (50 mg and 100 mg)
- FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminum Lake (100 mg)
What are DDP-4 inhibitors?
DPP-4 inhibitors are a class of oral diabetic medications approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.
As their name suggests, DPP-4 inhibitors work to block an enzyme in our body called DDP-4 The DPP-4 enzyme in our body acts on incretin hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP, which maintain glucose homeostasis by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon secretion.
What are the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes?
According to the CDC, some risk factors that can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes include:
- Being overweight or having obesity
- Being age 45 or older
- Having an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically active less than 3 times per week
- Having had gestational diabetes or having given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Being African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
- Being a smoker
Can Sitagliptin cause your blood sugar to go too low (hypoglycemia)?
When taken alone, sitagliptin is not likely to cause hypoglycemia because it works less when your blood sugar is low.
If you take sitagliptin with another medication that can cause low blood sugar (ie: sulfonylurea or insulin), your risk of getting low blood sugar becomes higher.
The dose of your sulfonylurea or insulin you are taking may need to be reduced while you are taking sitagliptin.
Some signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
- headache
- drowsiness
- irritability
- hunger
- dizziness
- confusion
- sweating
- feeling jittery
- weakness
- fast heart beat
