Pharmacokinetic evaluation of atorvastatin and sitagliptin in combination for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are exposed to a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) requiring a global therapeutic approach. Statin therapy has proven its efficacy in reducing CVD events in T2DM patients. Dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins), which are increasingly used to target hyperglycemia, also offer promising preliminary results regarding a possible reduction in CVD events. As most patients with T2DM may be treated with both a statin and a gliptin, dual pharmacological therapy, possibly as a fixed-dose combination (FDC), deserves further consideration. AREAS COVERED: The reader is provided with an update of information on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of atorvastatin and sitagliptin . The article provides an analysis of the potential PK/PD interactions between the two compounds and puts into perspective the potential cardiovascular protection that such a dual therapy may offer in patients with T2DM. EXPERT OPINION: Atorvastatin and sitagliptin are not prone to PK drug-drug interactions. Their coadministration, either separately or in an FDC, improves both blood glucose levels and cholesterol concentrations, without clinically relevant adverse events. The atorvastatin plus sitagliptin combination may be used to reduce LDL cholesterol and hyperglycemia in patients with T2DM, with the aim to improve CVD prognosis and adherence to therapy.