sitagliptin

How long does Sitagliptin Phosphate stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of sitagliptin phosphate is about 12.4 hours (apparent terminal half-life after a single 100 mg oral dose in healthy volunteers) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the apparent terminal (elimination) half-life the label reports; it does not describe a separate distribution phase. Sitagliptin is not a prodrug and has no active metabolite that outlasts it — metabolism is a minor pathway (about 16% of the dose), and the label states that the six metabolites detected were at trace levels and are not expected to contribute to DPP-4 inhibition. About 79% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine, so the kidneys drive elimination: the label reports an approximately 2-fold higher sitagliptin AUC in moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to under 45 mL/min/1.73 m2) and an approximately 4-fold higher AUC in severe impairment and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, versus healthy controls — the label quantifies these as exposure (AUC) increases rather than restating a longer half-life. Older adults (65 to 80 years) had about 19% higher plasma concentrations than younger subjects, and the label says that once the effect of age on renal function is accounted for, age alone has no clinically meaningful impact on sitagliptin pharmacokinetics. Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh 7 to 9) raised AUC by only about 21% and Cmax by about 13%, which the label calls not clinically meaningful; there is no clinical experience in severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh over 9).

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: JANUVIA (sitagliptin) tablet, film coated — Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, DailyMed SPL, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics.

Frequently asked questions

What does Sitagliptin treat?

Sitagliptin (Sitagliptin Phosphate) may be used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How does Sitagliptin work?

Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor. DPP-4 inhibitors block the enzyme that quickly destroys the body's own gut hormones (incretins like GLP-1). With these hormones lasting longer, the pancreas releases more insulin and less glucagon after meals, which lowers blood sugar.

How much does Sitagliptin cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $110.51 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Sitagliptin?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Sitagliptin. To pay less, Sitagliptin is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Sitagliptin?

Sitagliptin is marketed by Msn Laboratories Private Ltd. You can see Msn Laboratories Private Ltd's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Sitagliptin a brand-name or generic drug?

Sitagliptin is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Sitagliptin Phosphate. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.

Is Sitagliptin available over the counter?

No. Sitagliptin is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Sitagliptin come in?

Sitagliptin is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Sitagliptin?

Sitagliptin is classified as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Sitagliptin FDA-registered?

Sitagliptin is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA216086. You can verify this on its official FDA label.