 |
 |
Will dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) antagonists find a secure position in the hierarchy of antidiabetes agents? Many signs point to “yes” for the fastest growing class of antihyperglycemic drugs:
• Well tolerated
• Weight neutral
• Do not promote hypoglycemia
• Can be used in combination with traditional first-line agents
• Confer 0.5% to 1% additional reduction in A1C
Questions remain, however, about long-term safety of the DPP-4 inhibitors and their effects on cardiovascular outcomes, if any. In particular, an early signal for increased pancreatitis with some but not all members of this drug class, along with a small numeric excess of pancreatic cancer cases in some studies are now being systematically assessed for all agents in the class. How should primary care physicians approach these agents and which patients might be candidates?
| DPP-4 Antagonists | |
DPP-4 Antagonists |
Will dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) antagonists find a secure position in the hierarchy of antidiabetes agents? Many signs point to “yes” for the fastest growing class of antihyperglycemic drugs:
• Well tolerated
• Weight neutral
• Do not promote hypoglycemia
• Can be used in combination with traditional first-line agents
• Confer 0.5% to 1% additional reduction in A1C
Questions remain, however, about long-term safety of the DPP-4 inhibitors and their effects on cardiovascular outcomes, if any. In particular, an early signal for increased pancreatitis with some but not all members of this drug class, along with a small numeric excess of pancreatic cancer cases in some studies are now being systematically assessed for all agents in the class. How should primary care physicians approach these agents and which patients might be candidates?
| DPP-4 Antagonists | |
DPP-4 Antagonists |
