Singapore Drugs Database

Indication

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control in combination with other agents or as monotherapy.

Mechanism of Action

Saxagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor antidiabetic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. DPP-4 inhibitors are a class of compounds that work by affecting the action of natural hormones in the body called incretins. Incretins decrease blood sugar by increasing consumption of sugar by the body, mainly through increasing insulin production in the pancreas, and by reducing production of sugar by the liver. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Press Release] DPP-4 is a membrane associated peptidase which is found in many tissues, lymphocytes and plasma. DPP-4 has two main mechanisms of action, an enzymatic function and another mechanism where DPP-4 binds adenosine deaminase, which conveys intracellular signals via dimerization when activated. Saxagliptin forms a reversible, histidine-assisted covalent bond between its nitrile group and the S630 hydroxyl oxygen on DPP-4. The inhibition of DPP-4 increases levels active of glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which inhibits glucagon production from pancreatic alpha cells and increases production of insulin from pancreatic beta cells.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following a 5 mg single oral dose of saxagliptin to healthy subjects, the mean plasma AUC values for saxagliptin and its active metabolite were 78 ng•h/mL and 214 ng•h/mL, respectively. The corresponding plasma Cmax values were 24 ng/mL and 47 ng/mL, respectively. Saxagliptin did not accumulate following repeated doses. The median time to maximum concentration (Tmax) following the 5 mg once daily dose was 2 hours for saxagliptin and 4 hours for its active metabolite. Bioavailability, 2.5 - 50 mg dose = 67%

Distribution

151 L

Metabolism

The metabolism of saxagliptin is primarily mediated by cytochrome P450 3A4/5 (CYP3A4/5). 50% of the absorbed dose will undergo hepatic metabolism. The major metabolite of saxagliptin, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin, is also a DPP4 inhibitor, which is one-half as potent as saxagliptin.

Elimination

Clearance

Renal clearance, single 50 mg dose = 14 L/h

Toxicity

Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with saxagliptin and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are: upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and headache.

Active Ingredient/Synonyms

(1S,3S,5S)-2-((2S)-Amino(3-hydroxytricyclo(3.3.1.13,7)dec-1-yl)acetyl)-2-azabicyclo(3.1.0)hexane-3-carbonitrile | Saxagliptin anhydrous | Saxagliptin |