ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pharmacol., 22 March 2023

Sec. Translational Pharmacology

Volume 14 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1105767

Pharmacokinetic comparison of sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets versus JANUMETĀ® XR in healthy volunteers under fasting and fed conditions

  • 1. Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China

  • 2. Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company, Nanjing, China

Abstract

Background and Objectives: JanumetĀ® XR is the combination of sitagliptin and extended metformin hydrochloride produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme. It is specially designed for diabetes mellitus patients taking both drugs already. JanumetĀ® XR exhibited clinically significant blood glucose lowering efficacy and long-term use safety. However, no generic form of JanumetĀ® XR has been approved in western countries. The relatively high cost made the medication less prescribed. A more affordable form of this drug may benefit an immense diabetes mellitus population. The current study compared the bioequivalence (BE) of sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company to JanumetĀ® XR in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods: Twenty-eight healthy Chinese subjects were enrolled in Study 1 and 2, respectively. Both studies were conducted with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design using the test (T) or the reference (R) drug. Study 1 is conducted under the fasting state, and Study 2 is under the fed state. Subjects received an oral dose of sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg, and plasma concentrations of sitagliptin and metformin were determined up to 72Ā h post-dose. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, including maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve up to the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0–t) of both sitagliptin and metformin, were calculated and compared between the T and R treatments.

Results: In the fasting study, the geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-āˆž for sitagliptin were 109.42%, 101.93%, and 101.95%, respectively; the corresponding ratios for metformin were 98.69%, 94.12%, and 93.42%, respectively. In the fed study, the geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-āˆž for sitagliptin were 98.41%, 100.30%, and 100.24%, respectively; the corresponding ratios for metformin were 97.79%, 99.28%, and 100.69%, respectively. The 90% CIs of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-āˆž in both studies were all within acceptance limits (80.00%–125.00%).

Conclusion: The results demonstrated for the first time that sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company was bioequivalent to the branded JanumetĀ® XR, and both drugs were well tolerated.

1 Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients often require a multi-drug regimen to achieve adequate glycaemic control. Janumet® is a combination of two active substances, sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride. Sitagliptin is a selective inhibitor of dipeptidylpeptidase-4, thus slowing the rapid inactivation of incretins, which helps lowering postprandial glucose (Lyseng-Williamson, 2007). Metformin is a biguanide compound used as the first-line drug in T2DM treatment for its well-established safety and effectiveness in lowering blood glucose (). The use of sitagliptin in combination with metformin consistently demonstrated a clinically significant reduction in average glycosylated hemoglobin than metformin monotherapy in inadequately controlled T2DM patients (; ; ; Scheen et al., 2010; ; Schernthaner et al., 2013). In addition, the bioequivalence of Janumet®versus equivalent doses of sitagliptin and metformin as individual tablets was demonstrated in healthy subjects (). Janumet® was approved by the United States of America (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in T2DM patients who were not adequately controlled on metformin or sitagliptin alone or in patients already being treated with both drugs ().

JanumetĀ® was supposed to be given twice daily. To bring the convenience of once-daily dosing, FDA approved JanumetĀ® XR designed for a fixed dosing regimen of sitagliptin and extended-release metformin in February 2012. It was available as 100Ā mg/1000Ā mg, 50Ā mg/1000Ā mg, and 50Ā mg/500Ā mg. Compared with the immediate release form, the extended form of metformin exhibits steadier glycemic control, better gastrointestinal tolerance, and improves patient adherence. Nevertheless, the method of developing extended-release metformin core tablet and synergistic coating of sitagliptin immediate-release (IR) formulation requires a more sophisticated formula and preparation technique (). Up to now, no generic products of JanumetĀ® XR have been authorized by FDA or European Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

FDA released a draft guidance on Metformin Hydrochloride; Sitagliptin Phosphate (Tablet, Extended Release) in July 2014 (US Food and Drug Administration, 2014). Both fasting and fed studies are suggested. Single-dose, two-way crossover design is recommended. The drug should be administered with 240Ā ml of a 20% glucose solution in water, followed by 60Ā ml of the same solution administered every 15Ā min for up to 4Ā h after dosing. This dosing method was recommended mainly to avoid hypoglycemia. The drug strength studied was 1000Ā mg/EQ 100Ā mg base. Other strengths can gain waivers of in vivo testing under three conditions, including bioequivalence of 1000 mg/EQ 100Ā mg base strength, acceptable in-vitro dissolution testing of all strengths, and proportional similarity of the formulations across all strengths.

The current study was conducted under the FDA guidance to compare the bioequivalence (BE) of sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company to JanumetĀ® XR. This was the first reported bioequivalent study of JanumetĀ® XR, and the study may shed light on the clinical study design and conduction of JanumetĀ® XR BE.

2 Methods

2.1 Study designs and treatments

There were two studies in the project. Study 1 was under the fasting state, and study 2 was under the fed state. Both studies were conducted with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design using the T or R drug at the dose of sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg. The studies aimed to compare the PK profiles and safeties of the T and R drugs. The study protocols were approved by the Wuxi People’s Hospital Ethics Committee (Approval No. 2018LLPJ-I-14-03) and were conducted at Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province, China. The studies were performed in accordance with the principles of the World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki. All volunteers signed written informed consents before enrollment.

The R drug was JANUMETĀ® XR (sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg HCl extended-release) tablets produced by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, the United States, batch number R005485; The T drug was sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg HCl extended-release tablets produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company, batch number 180503.

Subjects received a single oral dose of the T or R drug in each period in a randomized way under either fasting or fed conditions, with a wash-out of 7Ā days. The study design is shown in Figure 1. For the fed study, subjects finished the high-fat diet (containing protein 16.52%, fat 56.85%, carbohydrate 26.63%) in 30Ā min and were given the drug with 240Ā ml of a 20% glucose solution in water 30Ā min after they started eating the diet. For the fasting study, the drug was administered with 240Ā ml of a 20% glucose solution in water under the fasting state. An overnight fast for at least 10Ā h before administration was required. Subjects were not allowed to drink water 1Ā h before and after dosing, and lunch could be served only 4Ā h after dosing for both studies.

FIGURE 1

2.2 Subjects

Healthy men and women above 18Ā years with a body mass index of 19–26Ā kg/m2 were enrolled. Bodyweight was required ≧ 50Ā kg for men and ≧ 45Ā kg for women. Main exclusion criteria included: the presence of any disease; Physical examination, blood test (hematology, serum biochemistry and prothrombin time), and urinalysis of clinical significance; Unwillingness to take contraception measures during the study period and in 3Ā months after the end of the study; Blood donation or blood loss of more than 400Ā ml 3Ā months prior to screening; had surgery 3Ā months prior to screening and during the study period; Creatinine clearance rate (CrCl) < 80Ā ml/min; fasting plasma glucose ≦ 3.9Ā mmol/L or ≧ 6.1Ā mmol/L; Allergic to sitagliptin or metformin; Positive results of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and TP (Treponema pallidum) test; Positive results of nicotine, alcohol, and drugs; Take any medication 14Ā days prior screening; Pregnant women or positive results of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test; Participation in any clinical trial during the 3Ā months prior to screening.

2.3 Blood sampling and bioanalytical assay

Venous blood samples (4Ā ml) were collected from an intravenous indwelling catheter before dosing and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 24, 32, 48, and 72Ā h after dosing for both fed and fasting studies. Blood samples were drawn into BD VacutainersĀ® with ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant. Plasma was separated by centrifugation at 2150 ± 5Ā g for 10Ā min at 2°C–8°C and stored at āˆ’20°C within 2Ā h after sampling and transferred to āˆ’80°C within 24Ā h.

Plasma concentrations of sitagliptin and metformin were analyzed using a fully validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The calibration curves for sitagliptin and metformin were 1.0–700Ā ng/ml and 4.0–2800Ā ng/ml, respectively. In the fed study, the mean intra-batch precision and accuracy of this method were 2.4%–3.8% and 96.2%–102.5%, respectively, for sitagliptin and 2.5%–3.8% and 98.1%–104.6%, respectively, for metformin. In the fasting study, the mean intra-batch precision and accuracy of this method were 2.9%–4.5% and 97.0%–102.7%, respectively, for sitagliptin and 2.8%–3.5% and 99.5%–104.2%, respectively, for metformin.

2.4 Pharmacokinetic parameters

Serum sitagliptin and metformin pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax (maximum serum concentration), Tmax (time to achieve Cmax), AUC0-t (area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration time t), AUC0ā€“āˆž (AUC extrapolated to infinity) and half-life (t½) were determined or calculated with the validated software Phoenix WinNonLinĀ®8.1, Certara, Inc., using a non-compartmental analysis and the linear trapezoidal rule.

2.5 Safety

Vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, breath) were assessed during each treatment period pre-dose (0Ā h) and post-dose at 2, 8, 24, 48, and 72Ā h. Finger point blood glucose was measured 2 and 8Ā h after dosing. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded continuously throughout both studies according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria Adverse Events (NCI CTCAE, Version 5.0. The clinical significance of abnormal results was determined by physicians. If clinical abnormalities were present, follow-ups were required.

2.6 Sample size

Based on the results of sitagliptin dispensatory JanuviaĀ®, the within-subject coefficient of variations (CV) for the area under the plasma-concentration time curve AUC was 5.8%, and the CV for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was not reported (). The CV for the PK parameters (Cmax, AUC) was assumed to be 20% for metformin immediate release (IR) based on previous studies (Park et al., 2015; ), and the CV was reported equivalent between extended released (XR) and IR metformin (Timmins et al., 2005). To achieve a statistical power of 80% that a two-sided 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio of PK parameters (Cmax, AUC) between two treatments would be contained within the 0.80–1.25 limit, the study required 19 evaluable subjects in the fasting and fed studies, respectively. Twenty-eight subjects were finally enrolled in case of withdrawals, respectively.

2.7 Statistical analyses

Study data were summarized by descriptive statistics. The statistical analyses were performed using SASĀ® version 9.4. For the comparisons, Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0ā€“āˆž were analyzed using linear mixed models after logarithmic transformation. Bioavailability was achieved if the 90% CI of each parameter geometric means ratio (GMR) test/reference fell between 0.8–1.25. The statistical analysis included treatment, period, sequence, and subject-within-sequence as fixed effects. Tmax was compared between treatments using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

3 Results

3.1 Subjects

Twenty-eight healthy men and women were randomized and completed the fasting study, and all were included in the safety evaluation and pharmacokinetic analysis. Twenty-eight healthy men and women were randomized in the fed study. One subject quit the study for personal affairs after finishing the first period, and the other 27 subjects completed the whole study. All the subjects were included in the safety evaluation and the pharmacokinetic analysis.

The baseline demographics of the participants are detailed in Table 1.

TABLE 1

CharacteristicsFasting Study (n=28)Fed Study (n=28)
T-R(n=14)R-T(n=14)T-RR-T
Age(Years)30.1±7.531.1±6.228.9±7.926.3±4.8
Sex, n(%)
Male6 (42.9)10 (71.4)10(71.4)11(78.6)
Female8 (57.1)4 (28.6)4(28.6)3(21.4)
Height(cm)161.0±6.2166.6±9.4164.7±8.4167.9±7.4
Weight(kg)60.4±7.362.7±9.462.4±9.363.0±6.5
BMI(kg/m2)23.2±1.822.5±1.922.9±2.322.4±1.8

Baseline demographics of study participants.

Data are the mean ± SD, except for sex (male/female), which is the %; BMI, body mass index; SD, standard deviation. a% = n/N*100.

3.2 Pharmacokinetics

3.2.1 Fasting study

The mean plasma sitagliptin and metformin concentration-time profiles under the fasting state are shown in Figure 2. The curves of both sitagliptin and metformin were very similar between the T and R drugs. Sitagliptin level after the T drug manifested a slightly higher mean Cmax value and a shorter Tmax than the R drug. The mean Cmax and Tmax values for metformin were very close between the T and R drugs. PK parameters of the two groups are summarized in Table 2. BE evaluation of the two groups is shown in Table 3. The geometric mean ratios (T/R) of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-āˆž for sitagliptin were 109.42%, 101.93%, and 101.95%, respectively, the corresponding ratios for metformin were 98.69%, 94.12%, and 93.42%, respectively. The 90% CIs were all within acceptance limits (80.00%–125.00%).

FIGURE 2

TABLE 2

ParametersSitagliptinMetformin
Test DrugReference DrugTest DrugReference Drug
Cmax/ng/mL378.67±91.79346.15±89.971211.46±372.691212.50±316.97
AUC0-t/h*ng/mL2700.89±366.122665.70±330.048327.22±2174.418796.45±2255.33
AUC0-āˆž/h*ng/mL2729.81±366.812693.87±334.488593.84±2348.919119.98±2325.40
Tmax/h2.00(1∼5)2.50(1.5∼5)4.50(3∼6)4.50(3∼8)
T1/2z/h9.60±2.9710.08±2.5814.11±11.7716.17±12.33
λz/1/h0.08±0.020.07±0.020.08±0.050.07±0.05

Pharmacokinetic parameters after single-dose administration of test and reference drug under fasting state.

Data are the mean ± SD, except Tmax are median (min, max).

TABLE 3

ParametersTest DrugReference Drug n=27Ratio% (T/R)90% CIIntra-individual variation %
N=28
Cmax/ng/mLSitagliptin366.64335.06109.4290.40∼107.7319.42
Metformin1155.411170.7998.6992.67∼103.1811.61
AUC0-t/h*ng/mLSitagliptin2674.812624.04101.9399.01∼104.956.05
Metformin8021.928522.6694.1288.72∼99.8513.01
AUC0-āˆž/h*ng/mLSitagliptin2704.442652.70101.9599.03∼104.966.04
Metformin8256.818838.6093.4287.94∼99.2313.31

Statistical comparison of Sitagliptin and Metformin Pharmacokinetic parameters under fasting state.

Data are the mean ± SD.

3.2.2 Fed study

The mean plasma sitagliptin and metformin concentration-time profiles under the fed state are shown in Figure 3. The curves of both sitagliptin and metformin were very similar between the T and R drugs. The mean Cmax value after the R drug was slightly higher than the T drug for both sitagliptin and metformin. The mean Tmax value was very close between the T and R drugs for both sitagliptin and metformin. Compared to the fasting study, both Cmax and AUC0–t of sitagliptin increased under the fed state. While the mean Cmax and AUC0–t of metformin decreased and Tmax extended under the fed state compared to the fasting state. PK parameters of the two groups are summarized in Table 4. BE evaluation of the two groups is shown in Table 5. The geometric mean ratios (T/R) of Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0-āˆž for sitagliptin were 98.41%, 100.30%, and 100.24%, respectively, the corresponding ratios for metformin were 97.79%, 99.28%, and 100.69%, respectively. The 90% CIs were all within acceptance limits (80.00%–125.00%).

FIGURE 3

TABLE 4

ParametersSitagliptinMetformin
Test DrugReference DrugTest DrugReference Drug
Cmax/ng/mL405.93±107.27410.89±89.671050.71±235.261077.89±228.49
AUC0-t/h*ng/mL2759.11±363.142749.29±378.7611729.38±3342.8311854.14±3091.46
AUC0-āˆž/h*ng/mL2799.03±371.072790.03±384.1112031.08±3303.7312023.27±3128.63
Tmax/h2.25(1∼4.5)2.00(1∼3.5)6.00(3.5∼9)6.00(4∼10)
T1/2z/h11.11±3.6611.78±3.5716.62±29.7811.35±7.98
λz/1/h0.07±0.020.06±0.020.09±0.040.08±0.04

Pharmacokinetic parameters after single-dose administration of test and reference drug under fed state.

Data are the mean ± SD, except Tmax are median (min, max).

TABLE 5

ParametersTest DrugReference Drug n=27Ratio% (T/R)90% CIIntra-individual variation %
N=28
Cmax/ng/mLSitagliptin393.39399.7598.4191.43∼105.9215.9
Metformin1025.801049.0297.7992.67∼103.1811.61
AUC0-t/h*ng/mLSitagliptin2736.092728.01100.3097.70∼102.965.65
Metformin11310.0611392.4499.2895.53∼103.178.28
AUC0-āˆž/h*ng/mLSitagliptin2775.462768.92100.2497.60∼102.955.75
Metformin11636.4311556.38100.6996.89∼104.648.29

Statistical comparison of Sitagliptin and Metformin Pharmacokinetic parameters under fed state.

Data are the mean ± SD.

3.3 Safety

In the fasting study, 5 out of 28 subjects (17.9%) experienced AEs. The AEs related to the T drug were hypoglycemia and elevation of γ-glutamyltransferase. One subject experienced transient hypoglycemia and recovered after taking 60 ml of a 20% glucose solution in water. The AEs related to the R drug were ECG ST segment depression, decreased leukocyte count and neutrophil count. Elevation of γ-glutamyltransferase ended with recovering, and the other AEs recovered.

In the fed study, 4 out of 28 subjects (14.3%) experienced AEs. No AEs related to the T drug were reported. The AEs related to the R drug were decreased leukocyte count and decreased neutrophil count. All AEs recovered before the study ended.

None of the subjects were withdrawn from the two studies because of AEs. The data are summarized in Table 6.

TABLE 6

SymptomsNumbers (%)
Fasting StudyFed Study
T(N=28)R(N=28)T(N=28)R(N=27)
Elevation of γ- glutamyltransferase1(3.6)---
Decrease in leukocyte count-1(3.6)-1(3.7)
Urine leukocyte-1(3.6)--
Urine protein-1(3.6)1(3.6)-
ECG ST segment depression-1(3.6)--
Decrease in neutrophil count-1(3.6)-1(3.7)
Hypoglycemia1(3.6)---
Injection fear-1(3.6)--
Epistaxis--1(3.6)-
Sinus bradycardia---1(3.7)

Summary of the number and types of adverse events that occurred in fasting and fed studies.

4 Discussion

This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles and safety of sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets with JANUMETĀ® XR in healthy volunteers. The results supported the bioequivalence of the T drug to the R drug in terms of both rate (Cmax) and extent (AUC0āˆ’t) of absorption under fasting and fed conditions. The PK parameters were similar to the published FDA review data (; ; ) under the fed state, with a slightly lower AUC0āˆ’āˆž and Cmax for metformin in our study and a slightly higher Cmax and lower AUC0āˆ’āˆž for sitagliptin results. Under the fasting state, the Cmax of sitagliptin was consistent with the FDA review data, while AUC0āˆ’āˆž was slightly lower in our study. The PK parameters of metformin after taking JANUMETĀ® XR under the fasting state were not available in the FDA review data. Recently, BE studies of sitagliptin (100Ā mg) and fixed-dose combination (FDC) of sitagliptin–metformin (50/1000Ā mg) IR have been reported (Schnaars et al., 2023). The PK parameters Cmax, AUC0āˆ’t, AUC0āˆ’āˆž of sitagliptin (100Ā mg) under the fasting condition were approximately 14–32% higher than our data. The results indicated a combination formulation may decrease the absorption rate and extent of sitagliptin. Metformin (1000Ā mg, IR) exhibited a much higher Cmax (1592.89Ā ng/L), shorter median Tmax (3.5Ā h), and similar AUC results compared to our XR products under the fed condition. The results showed metformin (XR) extended the releasing process and exhibited steadier blood concentration than metformin (IR).

The absorption of sitagliptin in terms of Cmax, AUC0āˆ’t and AUC0āˆ’āˆž was slightly higher under the fed state than the fasting state, which was opposite to the FDA review data that the AUC0āˆ’āˆž and Cmax for sitagliptin were slightly decreased under the fed state. On the contrary, the high-fat diet slightly decreased the absorption rate of metformin with a lower Cmax and longer Tmax while increasing the AUC0āˆ’t by approximately 35% and AUC0āˆ’āˆž by approximately 32% compared to the fasting state. It was generally consistent with the JANUMETĀ® XR FDA review data () that a high-fat breakfast decreased the Cmax for metformin by approximately 9% and increased AUC0āˆ’āˆž for metformin by approximately 62%. A BE study of Janumet reported a slightly higher Cmax of sitagliptin under the fed state, and the AUC0āˆ’t and AUC0āˆ’āˆž were comparable between the fasting and fed condition (Shi et al., 2022). The results were consistent with ours. In summary, the intake of a meal within 30Ā min of dosing can limitedly affect the absorption extent of sitagliptin while increasing the absorption extent of metformin.

The general study design followed the FDA guidance as single-dose, two-way crossover. Two types including fasting and fed were conducted. Healthy men and non-pregnant women were included. Our study provided some details regarding the design of sampling point and hypoglycemia prevention. The Tmax of sitagliptin was reported between 1 and 4Ā h, and t1/2 was around 12Ā h. The fed state has a limited effect on its PK profiles. The Tmax of metformin was reported between 7 and 10Ā h, and t1/2 was around 12Ā h. The state of fasting or fed was not revealed (; ; ). The sampling point was designed to be quite dense within 12Ā h after dosing accordingly to depict accurate PK profiles of both drugs.

According to the JANUMETĀ® XR label (), hypoglycemia was one of the most frequently observed AEs in clinical trials. The FDA guidance suggested 60Ā mL of a 20% glucose solution in water administered every 15Ā min for up to 4Ā h after dosing in the in vivo study in case of hypoglycemia. Considering the risk of hypoglycemia in healthy subjects after taking one pill is relatively low, we did not follow the suggestion. In order to prevent the risk of hypoglycemia, we arranged blood glucose testing 2 and 8Ā h after dosing. The time point 2Ā h is close to the Tmax of sitagliptin, and 8Ā h is around 4Ā h after lunch, both are the time points indicating a high possibility of hypoglycemia. We have also made a hypoglycemia emergency plan and lay in a supply of glucose water in case of hypoglycemia. In the fed study, none of the subjects experienced hypoglycemia. In the fasting study, one subject had transient hypoglycemia and recovered after taking 60Ā ml of a 20% glucose solution in water. The results demonstrated that our consideration on hypoglycemia prevention was practicable.

Most of the drug-related AEs reported in our study were known to date. According to JANUMETĀ® XR label (), a slight increase in the white blood cell count of patients treated with sitagliptin and metformin immediate-release compared to patients treated with placebo and metformin was observed. However, we observed one case of decreased white blood cell count in the fed and fasting study after the R drug administration, respectively. As the sample size is relatively small, we cannot conclude that the decrease in leukocyte count is a newly identified adverse reaction of JANUMETĀ® XR. More post-marketing experience is in need. In summary, the combination dose of sitagliptin and metformin were well tolerated in healthy subjects, the safety results were in line with previous reports (Shi et al., 2022; Schnaars et al., 2023).

As a selective DPPIV inhibitor, sitagliptin stabilizes and increases active incretins, namely glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (), and metformin administration resulted in an increased total GLP-1 level (). The effect of metformin on active GLP-1was complementary to those of sitagliptin. Given its limited hepatic metabolism and low protein binding, sitagliptin has a low potential for drug-drug interactions. No clinically significant drug-drug interactions were found between sitagliptin and metformin (; ). The above facts indicated them as prime candidates for combination therapy.

Sitagliptin provided better efficacy than a placebo add-on to metformin and was non-inferior to glimepiride, glipizide, saxagliptin, and empaglifozin in improvements in HbA1c levels (; ; Scheen et al., 2010; ; ). In addition, sitagliptin is generally well tolerated with a low risk of hypoglycaemia (; ) and a neutral effect on bodyweight (Umezawa et al., 2015), thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. On the contrary, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, and insulin therapies all increase the risk of hypoglycaemia and bodyweight gain (). GLP-1 RAs are more effective in terms of HbA1c and body weight control than sitagliptin (). However, they require subcutaneous administration, usually cause severe gastrointestinal side effects, and are more expensive than sitagliptin (). It is noteworthy that a recent case-control cohort study found metformin plus sitagliptin might exert a protection against COVID-19 in T2DM patients, as evidenced by the mitigation of oxidative stress, CT scan score, and clinical outcomes (). To sum up, with its convenient once-daily oral regimen, low potential for pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions, and good efficacy and safety profiles, sitagliptin remains a critical add-on therapy to metformin in the management of T2DM patients (). The fixed formulation of sitagliptin and metformin (extended-release) made a convenient once-daily oral regimen for T2DM patients. Sitagliptin 50Ā mg BID was equally effective to 100Ā mg QD in glycemic control. Lower doses were less effective, and doses up to 200Ā mg did not show an efficacy advantage (; Raz et al., 2006; Scott et al., 2007). Thus the 100Ā mg/1000Ā mg strength selected in our studies was prompt to be a popular dose regime.

Though patients can benefit from JANUMETĀ® XR, a relatively higher cost may render the prescribing decisions. It has been reported that sitagliptin was less cost-effective compared to empagliflozin as a second-line treatment to metformin (Reifsnider et al., 2021). Up to now, no generic form of JANUMETĀ® XR has been approved by FDA nor MHRA. The sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company was the first generic form of JANUMETĀ® XR approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China, which can make the medications more affordable to those patients who cannot afford brand formulations.

5 Conclusion

In summary, the present study was the first to study the bioequivalence of sitagliptin 100Ā mg and metformin 1000Ā mg produced by Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company to JanumetĀ® XR. The protocol design followed the FDA guidance with small modifications on the glucose water supplement. The results demonstrate both bio-equivalence and satisfactory safety of the T and R drugs. Our study may make a contribution to the drug accessibility of T2DM patients.

Statements

Data availability statement

The raw data supporting the conclusion of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Ethics statement

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by the Wuxi People’s Hospital Ethics Committee. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

LQ, PZ, BH, and QH designed this experiment. WQ, YS, YD, LQ, KH, and ZQ performed this clinic trial. LQ and QH analyzed the data. LQ and WQ wrote and edited the paper, and drew the figures.

Funding

This work was supported by the Wuxi Public Service Platform for Clinical Research and Evaluation of New Drugs and Medical Devices (GGFWPT 2019) and Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company, Nanjing, China.

Conflict of interest

BH and PZ were employed by the Nanjing Chia-Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Company.

The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Summary

Keywords

sitagliptin, metformin, JanumetĀ® XR, diabetes, bioequivalence, pharmacokinetics

Citation

Que L, Qin W, Shi Y, Ding Y, Huang K, Qian Z, Huang B, Zhou P and He Q (2023) Pharmacokinetic comparison of sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release tablets versus JANUMETĀ® XR in healthy volunteers under fasting and fed conditions. Front. Pharmacol. 14:1105767. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1105767

Received

23 November 2022

Accepted

13 March 2023

Published

22 March 2023

Volume

14 - 2023

Edited by

Faisal Raza, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Reviewed by

Khojasteh Malekmohammad, Shiraz University, Iran

Lei Sheng, Fudan University, China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Qing He,

†These authors have contributed equally to this work and share first authorship

This article was submitted to Translational Pharmacology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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