MSD: Reduction in blood sugar level with sitagliptin phosphate plus metformin combo

Merck, Sharp and Dohme has announced new data that shows a significant redicition in blood glucose levels following treatment with sitagliptin phosphate in combination with metformin.

The trial showed that 50mg of sitagliptin phosphate administered with 1,000mg of metformin resulted in a reduction in both post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in patients with type two diabetes.

John Amatruda, vice president of clinical research at MSD, noted that most orally-administered treatments for patients with type two diabetes typically reduced either blood glucose levels post meal, or fasting levels.

“These study data are important because they showed substantial reductions in both measures of blood glucose levels, PPG and FPG, with sitagliptin phosphate plus metformin.”

Last week, MSD announced that MK-0431A, its investigational combination of metformin and sitagliptin phosphate, would be known under the trademark Janumet.

In September, MSD reported that simultaneous treatment of sitagliptin phosphate with metformin saw significant reductions in A1C levels of up to 2.1 per cent from a mean baseline level of 8.8 per cent.

The study also showed that the combination was generally well tolerated with no “meaningful” differences when compared to treatment solely with metformin.