Sitagliptin

Type 2 diabetes, usually as add-on to metformin (or other agents) when blood sugar targets aren’t met.

Sitagliptin inhibits the DPP-4 enzyme, which normally breaks down incretins - gut hormones that stimulate insulin release after meals. By keeping incretin levels higher, sitagliptin boosts your own insulin response to food and reduces glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar). It only works when blood sugar is elevated, which is why hypos are rare.

Adults with type 2 diabetes. Well-tolerated in most patients. Dose reduction needed in kidney impairment. Can be combined with metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin.

Order online and we review your request. A prescriber checks your consultation form for clinical appropriateness and contacts you if anything else is needed. Once approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door. This medication requires blood test monitoring. We may request recent blood results or arrange testing before dispensing.

Tracked: Tracked delivery, arrives in two working days - Free

When it arrives: Every order is sent tracked. Where this page says in post today, it goes out today. Where it says in post tomorrow, it goes out the next working day. On the rare occasions a medicine is unavailable, we will contact you to talk about timing and alternatives.

We dispense clinically equivalent generic medications where available. Prices shown are for the generic version. If you prefer the branded version, let us know in your order form and we will confirm any price difference.

Sitagliptin from £20.99 per pack.

Gliclazide: hypoglycaemia (especially if missed meals), weight gain, GI disturbances. Sitagliptin: upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nasopharyngitis. Pioglitazone: weight gain, oedema, increased fracture risk.

Gliclazide: severe hepatic/renal impairment, diabetic ketoacidosis. Pioglitazone: heart failure, hepatic impairment, bladder cancer history.

Gliclazide: many drugs increase hypoglycaemia risk (fluconazole, NSAIDs, fibrates). Pioglitazone: CYP2C8 inhibitors increase levels.

Oral antidiabetics are generally not recommended in pregnancy - insulin is preferred for blood glucose control. Metformin is sometimes used in pregnancy under specialist supervision (especially for gestational diabetes and PCOS). Stop other oral agents before conception.

Take once daily, with or without food. Generally very well-tolerated. Rare side effects include upper respiratory tract infections, headache, and very rarely pancreatitis (seek urgent help if you develop severe abdominal pain). Less powerful than some newer agents (SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists) but excellent tolerability profile.