DPP-4 Inhibitors
DPP-4 inhibitors are a type of medication that people with type 2 diabetes can use to lower blood sugar levels.
How DPP-4 inhibitors work
DPP-4 is an enzyme (a natural chemical) that breaks down hormone GLP-1. GLP-1 helps the body lower blood sugar levels by causing the pancreas to produce insulin after a meal. So, more GLP-1 means more insulin production and lower glucose levels. One way to increase levels of GLP-1 is by reducing levels of DPP-4. DPP-4 inhibitors lead to more GLP-1 that lasts longer in the bloodstream; this stimulates insulin production and decreases production of glucagon when glucose levels are high, lowering the body’s glucose levels.
List of DPP-4 inhibitor medications
Commonly used medications in the DPP-4 inhibitor drug class include:
- Januvia (sitagliptin)
- Zituvio (sitagliptin)
- Onglyza (saxagliptin)
- Tradjenta (linagliptin)
- Nesina (alogliptin)
- Galvus (vildagliptin) – not approved in US