title: Linagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a drug safety evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Established treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have side effects that limit their use in specific populations. New therapies with improved safety profiles are needed, especially because of the chronic and progressive nature of T2DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review describes the overall safety and tolerability of linagliptin--a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor that improves glycemic control without increasing risk for hypoglycemia and without weight gain. Specifically, the safety of linagliptin is evaluated in difficult-to-treat patients with T2DM, in relation to risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and acute pancreatitis, and in comparison with other antihyperglycemic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Linagliptin is generally well tolerated in a broad range of patient populations. It can be used in patients with renal impairment without dose titration and may be a rational alternative treatment in this vulnerable population. Ongoing long-term trials are fully evaluating the CV and renal safety profile of linagliptin.
authors.affiliation: Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham, Diabetes Centre , Birmingham , UK anthony.barnett@heartofengland.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Anthony H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Barnett
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069476:Linagliptin; D011687:Purines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D011687:Purines; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069476:Linagliptin
keywords: dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors; linagliptin; safety; tolerability; type 2 diabetes mellitus