Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors or gliptins) are a class of medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Pronunciation

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: /daɪˌpɛptɪdɪl ˈpeɪptɪdeɪs 4 ɪnˈhɪbɪtərs/

Etymology

The term "Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors" is derived from the enzyme they inhibit, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The suffix "-inhibitors" refers to the function of these drugs, which is to inhibit or reduce the activity of the DPP-4 enzyme.

Function

DPP-4 inhibitors work by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme which destroys the hormone incretin. Incretins help the body produce more insulin only when it is needed and reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver when it's not needed. These actions lower the level of glucose in the blood.

Examples

Examples of DPP-4 inhibitors include sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), and alogliptin (Nesina).

Side Effects

Common side effects of DPP-4 inhibitors can include nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory tract infection. In rare cases, they can cause pancreatitis.

Related Terms

• Incretin
• Insulin
• Glucose
• Pancreatitis
• Type 2 diabetes

See Also

• Biguanides
• Sulfonylureas
• Thiazolidinediones
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
• SGLT2 inhibitors

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