Expert opinion on investigational drugs
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Expert Opin Investig Drugs · Aug 2010
ReviewFixed-dose combination therapy for type 2 diabetes: sitagliptin plus pioglitazone.
Type 2 diabetes is typically associated with insulin resistance and dysfunction of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cells. Addressing these defects often requires therapy with a combination of differently acting antidiabetic agents. A potential novel combination in development brings together the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin with the thiazolidinedione pioglitazone into a fixed-dose single-tablet combination. The former component acts mainly to increase prandial insulin secretion; the latter improves insulin sensitivity. ⋯ The combination of sitagliptin and pioglitazone was well tolerated in these trials, and would appear to be suited to a fixed-dose single-tablet combination for once-daily administration.