DPP-4 Inhibitors

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)

• Onglyza (saxagliptin)

• Tradjenta (linagliptin)

• Nesina (alogliptin)

• Galvus (vildagliptin) – not approved in US

Further reading about DPP-4 inhibitor drugs

• ADA Recommends Combining DPP-4 and Metformin for Early Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
• The Power of Fixed-Dose Combinations – What SGLT-2 and DPP-4 Inhibitors Can Do in a Single Pill
• The DPP-4 Inhibitor Class