Welcome to “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight:
This series is designed to delve into the intricate realm of pharmaceutical drugs. As the world of pharmaceuticals continues to evolve with new discoveries and emerging challenges, we aim to shed light on the diverse array of medications available today, ranging from blockbuster medications to those that may not be as familiar. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a student, or simply someone with a curious mind, “A to Z: Drugs in Highlight” promises to be an enlightening and engaging series.
J is for JANUVIA®
JANUVIA® (from Merck & Co., Inc.) uses sitagliptin in patients with type-2 diabetes to improve the control of blood glucose levels. It is available as tablets (25, 50 and 100 mg).
How it works:
JANUVIA® contains the active substance sitagliptin. Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. It works by preventing the breakdown of incretin hormones, which are released after eating and stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. By increasing the levels of incretin hormones in the blood, sitagliptin enhances the pancreas’s ability to produce more insulin when blood glucose levels are high. Sitagliptin also reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver by increasing insulin levels and decreasing the levels of the hormone glucagon.
JANUVIA® can be used in various ways to suit different patient needs. For example, it can be prescribed on its own, combined with metformin or a PPAR-gamma agonist (such as thiazolidinedione), combined with metformin and either a sulfonylurea or a PPAR-gamma agonist, or can be used with insulin (with or without metformin).
Marketing approval:
JANUVIA® is approved marketing in the United States (approved by the FDA in October 2006) and Europe (approved by the EMA in March 2007).
Patent protection:
JANUVIA® is protected in the United States. United States patent no. 7326708 relates to a dihydrogenphosphate salt of 4-oxo-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-7(8H)-yl]-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butan-2-amine of structural formula I:
or a hydrate thereof.
The corresponding European patent has expired.
Patent support from Secerna
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