Final answer:
Sitagliptin, marketed as Januvia, is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dosed at 100 mg once daily, which may be adjusted based on kidney function and other factors. Pharmacogenetics can help customize treatments for individual patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the dosing of sitagliptin, commonly known under the brand name Januvia, which is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor which works by enhancing the body's own ability to lower elevated blood sugar levels. Unlike gliclazide, which the student mentioned is a sulfonylurea and works by stimulating pancreatic beta cells to produce more insulin, potentially leading to hypoglycemia as a major side effect, sitagliptin has a different mechanism of action and a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia. The standard dosing for sitagliptin is 100 mg once daily. However, the dosage may be adjusted depending on kidney function or if the patient is taking other medications. An understanding of pharmacogenetics can help tailor medications to an individual's genetic profile, potentially improving efficacy and reducing side effects, representing a new frontier in personalized medicine.