Choosing a Gliptin

The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has included the use of metformin and sulfonylurea (SU) as first-line anti-diabetic therapies world over since years. This remains, despite the knowledge that the combination results in a progressive decline in [beta]-cell function and by 3 years up t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vishal Gupta, Sanjay Kalra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2011;volume=15;issue=4;spage=298;epage=308;aulast=Gupta
Description
Summary:The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has included the use of metformin and sulfonylurea (SU) as first-line anti-diabetic therapies world over since years. This remains, despite the knowledge that the combination results in a progressive decline in [beta]-cell function and by 3 years up to 50% of diabetic patients can require an additional pharmacological agent to maintain the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7.0% (UKPDS). Gliptins represent a novel class of agents that improve beta cell health and suppress glucagon, resulting in improved post-prandial and fasting hyperglycemia. They function by augmenting the incretin system (GLP-1 and GIP) preventing their metabolism by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Not only are they efficacious but also safe (weight neutral) and do not cause significant hypoglycemia, making it a unique class of drugs. This review focuses on gliptins (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin) discussing pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety.
ISSN:2230-8210
2230-9500