WASHINGTON, Sep 25, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The diabetes drug sitagliptin has
been linked to reported cases of acute pancreatitis, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration said.
In all, 88 cases of acute pancreatitis were reported to the FDA between October
2006 and February 2009, the FDA said in revising prescription information for
sitagliptin, marketed under the names Januvia and Janumet.
Two of the cases involved hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis in patients
using sitagliptin, the FDA said.
Sitagliptin has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis, so
it is not known whether these patients are at an increased risk for developing
pancreatitis, FDA officials said.
The use of sitagliptin should be carefully monitored, especially after
initiation of the drug, dose increases and in those patients with a history of
pancreatitis, the FDA told healthcare providers.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International