Combination Product for Type 2 Diabetes

A new combination product has recently been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Sidapvia™ 10/100 tablets contain dapagliflozin 10mg and sitagliptin 100mg. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitor, and sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase‑4 (DPP‑4) inhibitor. The recommended dose of Sidapvia™ is one tablet taken once a day without regard to meals.

To be eligible for PBS subsidy, patients must meet the following criteria:

• Therapy must be in combination with metformin;
• Condition must be inadequately controlled with dual therapy of metformin plus either a DPP-4 inhibitor or SGLT2 inhibitor; and
• Therapy must not be in combination with PBS-subsidised treatment that includes a glucagon-like peptide‑1 (GLP-1) analogue, another SGLT2 inhibitor, or another DPP-4 inhibitor.

It has been reported that suboptimal adherence to prescribed therapies affects almost half of all people with diabetes. Initiation of this combination tablet has the potential to improve compliance by reducing the pill burden. This may lead to better clinical outcomes by improving glycaemic control and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.