Efficacy and safety of switching from sitagliptin to liraglutide in subjects with type 2 diabetes (LIRA-SWITCH): a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled 26-week trial

Aims: To confirm superiority on glycaemic control by switching from sitagliptin to liraglutide 1.8 mg/d versus continued sitagliptin. Materials and methods: A randomized, multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled trial across 86 office- or hospital-based sites in North America, Europe and Asia. Subjects with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.5−9.5% on sitagliptin (100 mg/d) and metformin (≥1500 mg daily) for ≥90 days were randomized to either switch to liraglutide (n = 203) or continue sitagliptin (n = 204), both with metformin. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26. Change in body weight was a confirmatory secondary endpoint. Results: Greater reduction in mean HbA1c was achieved with liraglutide than with continued sitagliptin [−1.14% vs. −0.54%; estimated mean treatment difference (ETD): −0.61% (95% CI −0.82 to −0.40; p < 0.0001)], confirming superiority of switching to liraglutide. Body weight was reduced more with liraglutide [−3.31 kg vs. −1.64 kg; ETD: −1.67 kg (95% CI −2.34 to −0.99; p < 0.0001)]. Nausea was more common with liraglutide [44 subjects (21.8%)] than with continued sitagliptin [16 (7.8%)]. Three subjects (1.5%) taking sitagliptin reported a confirmed hypoglycaemic episode. Conclusions: Subjects insufficiently controlled with sitagliptin who switch to liraglutide can obtain clinically relevant reductions in glycaemia and body weight, without compromising safety. A switch from sitagliptin to liraglutide provides an option for improved management of type 2 diabetes while still allowing patients to remain on dual therapy.