Saxagliptin and Metformin in Fixed Combination for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults

• Published in: Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes Vol. 2013; no. 2013; pp. 15 - 24
• Main Authors: Minze, Molly G., Klein, Mary S., Terrell, Brian T.
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Libertas Academica 01-01-2013; SAGE Publishing; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Dextrose; Diabetes therapy; Drug therapy; Glucose; Glucose metabolism; Hemoglobin; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemic agents; Pharmaceutical industry; Review; Type 2 diabetes; United States; saxagliptin; metformin; type 2 diabetes combination therapy; Metformin; Saxagliptin
• ISSN: 1179-5514; 1179-5514
• DOI: 10.4137/CMED.S8510

Type 2 diabetes affects millions of people worldwide and significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality of those affected by it. Current guidelines recommend individualized treatment regimens following first line metformin therapy. Saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitor, provides a secondary mechanism of action to decrease hyperglycemia when used in combination with metformin. The combination of metformin and saxagliptin has shown improvements in hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose in greater efficacy than when either agent is used alone. Adverse effects of combination therapy are similar to when these agents are used individually, and are rated as tolerable by patient satisfaction scores. Overall, the combination use of saxagliptin in addition to metformin is an attractive option for clinicians to use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.