Diabetes is common in the elderly; by the age of 70, approximately 25% of the population will
have diabetes. Unfortunately, currently available medications are often not as effective or
not well tolerated in older adults. Sitagliptin is a new medication in a new class of agent
called incretins. Incretins have many potential advantages for the treatment of diabetes in
the elderly. They stimulate insulin secretion, which is impaired in all older people with
diabetes. The incidence of hypoglycemia with currently available medications increases with
age, and incretins rarely cause hypoglycemia . They assist with weight loss, whereas many
current medications used to manage diabetes result in weight gain in the elderly. They
improve insulin action, and insulin resistance is a major problem in older people with
diabetes.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of British Columbia
Collaborator:
Merck Frosst Canada Ltd.
Treatments:
Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors Sitagliptin Phosphate