title: The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists to determine their role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A Medline search was conducted using the keywords exenatide, liraglutide, glucagon-like peptide-1, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  All identified articles written in English were evaluated with priority given to controlled, randomized trials including human data. References of identified published trials were reviewed for additional trials to be included in the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exenatide and liraglutide are GLP-1 agonists approved for the treatment of T2DM. Several randomized, active and placebo controlled trials examining the efficacy and safety of exenatide and liraglutide both as monotherapy and in combination therapy have been conducted. Both agents have demonstrated improved glycemic control in addition to weight loss and increased beta-cell function. The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal in nature and appear to be transient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears exenatide and liraglutide are safe and effective in the treatment of T2DM and may exhibit effects that make them preferred over other anti-diabetic medications.
authors.affiliation: Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Campus Box 3087, Wingate, NC 28174, USA.
authors.forename: Kira R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brice
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tzefos