The USFDA has approved Merck (NYSE: MRK)'s JANUVIA™ (sitagliptin phosphate) -- the first and only DPP-4 inhibitor available in the United States for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Previously approved as monotherapy and as add-on therapy to either of two other types of oral diabetes medications, metformin or thiazolidinediones (TZDs), JANUVIA™, whose recommended dose is 100 mg once daily, is designed to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in patients with type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise is not enough but should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
According to Richard T. Clark, president and chief executive officer of Merck:
"JANUVIA underscores Merck's commitment to the field of diabetes, and the benefits we strive to bring to patients and physicians who struggle in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The approval of JANUVIA is a clear example of Merck's focus on developing innovative therapies to improve human health around the world."
JANUVIA belongs to a new breakthrough class of prescription medications called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors that improves blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Find more details from the Merck press release.
For more info on JANUVIA™, click full prescribing and patient informations, respectively (both are pdf files).
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