Sitagliptin 50mg / Metformin 1g tablets

IntroductionAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a global concern, with diabetes being a key risk factor. Preventive measures increasingly rely on surrogate markers, such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker linked to ASCVD. Given the connection between dysglycaemia and ASCVD, the impact of oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) on CIMT is of interest. Despite the cardiovascular benefits of several OHAs, their effect on CIMT remains uncertain. This review aims to clarify the influence of OHAs on CIMT in patients with ASCVD and/or diabetes.ObjectivesThis systematic review aims to assess the effect of OHAs on CIMT in patients with ASCVD and/or diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2). We aim to provide evidence on the role of OHAs in reducing cardiovascular events in these high-risk patients.MethodologyA systematic search of databases, including Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and PubMed, was conducted to identify relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We analysed the efficacy and adverse effects of OHAs on CIMT in adults with diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.ResultsThe initial search identified 629 studies, with 13 selected, involving 3849 participants. Pioglitazone showed effectiveness in slowing CIMT progression in two out of three studies. Repaglinide was effective in reducing CIMT and inflammation, while Rosiglitazone showed no significant effect. Metformin, Sitagliptin and Alogliptin studies yielded mixed results, with some showing reduced CIMT progression but increased gastrointestinal and hypoglycaemia risks. SGLT-2 inhibitors Tofogliflozin and Ipragliflozin showed no significant CIMT reduction.ConclusionThe study suggests that prolonged use of Pioglitazone, Repaglinide and Alogliptin may significantly slow CIMT progression, improving cardiovascular risk management in patients with diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to understand the benefits and optimise oral hypoglycaemic treatment strategies for these patients.

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BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often requires combination therapy when metformin alone becomes insufficient. Empagliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitor) and sitagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) are commonly used add-on agents with differing metabolic profiles. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared their glycaemic, cardiometabolic and safety outcomes when added to metformin.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to September 2025. Randomized trials and observational studies comparing empagliflozin + metformin versus sitagliptin + metformin in adults with T2DM were included. Primary outcomes were changes in HbA1c, body weight, fasting glucose, lipid profile and blood pressure. Safety outcomes included urinary tract infections, genital infections, gastrointestinal disturbances and rash. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects models were used for meta-analyses, and meta-regression explored the impact of empagliflozin dose.ResultsEleven studies met eligibility criteria. Empagliflozin produced greater reductions in HbA1c, body weight, fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure compared with sitagliptin. Lipid changes were modest and inconsistent. Rates of urinary infections, gastrointestinal symptoms and rash were comparable between groups, whereas genital infections were significantly higher with empagliflozin. Rare but serious adverse events associated with SGLT2 inhibitors, including Fournier's gangrene and lower limb amputations, were not reported in the included trials. Meta-regression showed no meaningful dose-response relationship for glycaemic or weight outcomes.ConclusionsIn patients with T2DM on metformin, empagliflozin offers superior glycaemic and cardiometabolic benefits compared with sitagliptin, with an increase in genital infections. Both therapies are well tolerated, supporting empagliflozin as an effective metabolic add-on option.Trial registrationPROSPERO ID: CRD420251152360.

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BackgroundTriple oral therapy combining metformin, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor has been proposed as a synergistic approach to intensify glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple therapy compared to dual therapy (metformin plus either sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor).MethodsFollowing preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science through January 2026. Studies included randomized controlled trials comparing triple versus dual therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Outcomes included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, body weight, achievement of HbA1c ResultsEight studies encompassing 2606 participants were included. Findings indicate triple therapy significantly reduced HbA1c levels compared to dual therapy, with a SMD of - 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.92 to -0.16; P = .005). Triple therapy resulted in greater reduction in fasting plasma glucose, with an SMD of -0.30 (95% CI: -0.62 to 0.01; P = .06). Patients on triple therapy were more likely to achieve HbA1c levels below 7% (RR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.55-2.63; P ConclusionTriple therapy offers superior glycemic control over dual therapy without major safety trade-offs, though tolerability may affect long-term adherence.

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IntroductionAchieving and sustaining target glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels is fundamental in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We here aimed to assess whether initial dual oral therapy outperforms monotherapy in reaching glycaemic targets in patients with treatment-naive or early-stage T2D.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis were registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251111096). Parallel-group randomised controlled trials with a duration of at least 12 weeks were identified through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library spanning 2005 to 2025. Data at the trial arm level, including baseline and endpoint HbA1c values, were extracted for seven predefined comparisons and combined using a random-effects inverse-variance meta-analysis in R version 4.3.1 (meta package). The primary outcome was the proportion of treatment arms achieving an HbA1c level of ≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol). Secondary outcomes included the proportions achieving HbA1c levels of ≤7.0% (53 mmol/mol) and ≤6.5% (48 mmol/mol), as well as mean differences in HbA1c levels.ResultsA total of 20 trials, encompassing 37 treatment arms, were analysed. Dual combination therapy consistently demonstrated superior efficacy compared to monotherapy. The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c levels of ≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol) was 86% with initial dual therapy versus 82% with initial monotherapy (odds ratio [OR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.47, p = 0.002). At the more stringent threshold of ≤7.0% (53 mmol/mol), the rates were 69% versus 64% (OR 1.27, p = 0.003), and at ≤6.5% (48 mmol/mol), 42% versus 39% (OR 1.18, p = 0.056). When comparing initial dual therapy to metformin monotherapy, the respective achievement rates were 86% versus 81% (OR 1.41, p = 0.001) for a target of ≤7.0% (53 mmol/mol). The combination of metformin with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2-i) resulted in 88% reaching ≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol), compared to 81% with metformin alone (OR 1.55, p ≤ 0.001), a difference significant across all thresholds. Dual therapy containing SGLT-2i achieved 87% at ≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol), compared with 82% with all monotherapies (OR 1.43, p ≤ 0.001). SGLT-2i monotherapy itself led to 89% reaching the target, compared with 81% with metformin (OR 1.73, p ≤ 0.001). No significant difference in outcome was observed between dual and monotherapy involving SGLT2-is (OR 0.87, p = 0.480). The pooled final HbA1c values were 6.7% (50 mmol/mol) for dual therapy and 7.9% (63 mmol/mol) for monotherapy, corresponding to a mean difference of -0.45% (95% CI -0.60 to -0.25, p ≤ 0.001). Heterogeneity among studies was low to moderate (I2 25%-50%), and results remained consistent after excluding rosiglitazone arms.ConclusionsInitial dual therapy, particularly combining metformin with an SGLT2-i, results in superior achievement of HbA1c targets across various thresholds compared to monotherapy. SGLT2-i alone surpasses metformin alone in efficacy. Adding a second agent to SGLT2-i did not provide additional glucose-lowering benefit to SGLT2-i monotherapy. Early initiation of SGLT2-i monotherapy or combination therapy should be considered upon diagnosis of T2D.

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BackgroundPrediabetes refers to the transitional stage from normal glucose metabolism to diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation guidelines reported that, as of 2024, approximately 1.12 billion people globally were in the prediabetes stage. Without intervention, individuals with prediabetes are highly likely to progress to type 2 diabetes mellitus. It can be seen that prediabetes is posing a threat to human health and life and leads to a significant global public health concern.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched before March 29, 2025. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolled adults with prediabetes, compared the efficacy and safety of placebo and anti-prediabetic drugs (e.g., metformin, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and thiazolidinedione) with a follow-up duration of at least 12 weeks. Bayesian network meta-analysis was employed in statistical analysis.ResultsFifty-five eligible RCTs involving 37 interventions with 16,610 participants were included in this study. Compared with placebo, most anti-prediabetic drugs significantly reduced levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (mean difference (MD), - 0.94 ~ - 0.27%), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD, - 26.42 ~ - 0.15 mg/dL), weight loss (WL) (MD, - 13.59 ~ - 5.99 kg) and body mass index (BMI) (MD, - 4.50 ~ - 0.08 kg/m2). Specifically, 2.4 mg of semaglutide SC demonstrated the most optimal efficacy in WL (MD - 13.59 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 17.30 to - 9.91) and favorable efficacy in lowering HbA1c (MD - 0.39%; 95% CI - 0.55 to - 0.25); 15 mg of tirzepatide showed significant efficacy in lowering FPG (MD - 9.58 mg/dL; 95% CI - 12.00 to - 7.15), and potent efficacy in lowering BMI. Thirty milligrams of pioglitazone showed excellent efficacy in lowering lipid and FPG. Among the interventions, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events (AEs), while 100 mg of sitagliptin demonstrated higher incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs).ConclusionsAmong all the included interventions, GLP-1RAs, GIP/GLP-1RAs, and TZDs demonstrated favorable anti-prediabetic efficacy and acceptable safety. 2.4 mg of semaglutide SC and 15 mg of tirzepatide were the best option among the included interventions considering favorable glucose and BMI control.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42025636991.

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