title: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: comparison, efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors belong to one class of drugs that have been approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) based on the glucose-lowering actions of the gastrointestinal hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1. Several different compounds are now available, and although their mechanism of action (inhibition of the catalytic activity of DPP-4) is the same, there are fundamental differences between them.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors discuss the differences between different DPP-4 inhibitors and review their therapeutic efficacy and key safety data. The literature covered includes original studies and meta-analyses identified in PubMed, recent abstracts presented at major diabetes scientific conferences, and clinical trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there are some differences in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the different DPP-4 inhibitors, all are small orally active compounds with broadly similar HbA1c-lowering efficacy. They improve glycaemic control in T2D, without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia or causing weight gain. They can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-diabetic therapies, including insulin, regardless of renal or hepatic function, and are efficacious across the spectrum of patients with T2D, including those with long-standing disease duration. DPP-4 inhibitors may also have beneficial effects beyond glycaemic control, although this remains to be demonstrated in purpose-designed clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute 12.2.23, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Blegdamsvej 2, DK-2200 Copenhagen N , Denmark +45 3532 7523 ; +45 3532 7537 ; deacon@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Carolyn F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Deacon
authors.forename: Jens J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Holst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors