Sitagliptin
- Class: DPP-4 inhibitor
- Used for: type 2 diabetes
- Say it: sit-uh-GLIP-tin
- Forms: tablet
Remember the name – SIT → sit
SITAGLIPTIN lets the gut's own meal hormone SIT around far longer instead of being cleared away.
It blocks DPP-4, the enzyme that breaks down GLP-1. It adds no hormone of its own — it just stops the clean-up, which is why hypoglycaemia is rare.
SITAGLIPTIN lets the gut's own meal hormone SIT around far longer instead of being cleared away.
It blocks DPP-4, the enzyme that breaks down GLP-1. It adds no hormone of its own — it just stops the clean-up, which is why hypoglycaemia is rare.
Mnemonic: A -GLIPTIN guards GLP-1
The -gliptin drugs block DPP-4, the enzyme that chews up GLP-1. Because GLP-1 only acts when glucose is rising after a meal, hypos are rare.
The -gliptin drugs block DPP-4, the enzyme that chews up GLP-1. Because GLP-1 only acts when glucose is rising after a meal, hypos are rare.
Side effects
Common: headache, stuffy nose, joint pain
Serious: pancreatitis
Typical dose
100 mg once daily
Reduce to 50 mg or 25 mg as renal function falls.
Check yourself
Why does Sitagliptin rarely cause hypoglycaemia?
- GLP-1 only stimulates insulin while glucose is rising after a meal
- It blocks glucose absorption from the gut
- It is too weak to lower glucose meaningfully
- It acts only on the liver
Show answer
A. GLP-1 only stimulates insulin while glucose is rising after a meal
The effect is glucose-dependent, which is the key phrase. When the sugar is normal, the signal is not there to amplify — so the drug cannot push the level below the floor.
See it, don't memorize it
The app has the mechanism comic and a patient case for Sitagliptin – plus the name link, the class mnemonic, pronunciation you can hear, and a self-check, for the top 100 drugs. One purchase, no subscription, no account.