Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors



Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 , also DPP-4 inhibitors, are a new class of oral hypoglycemics which block DPP-4.

Their mechanism of action is thought to result from increased Incretin levels (GLP-1 and GIP),   which, inhibit glucagon release (which increases the blood glucose) but more importantly increase insulin secretion and decrease gastric emptying.

Drugs belonging to this class are vildagliptin, sitagliptin and saxagliptin.

Although extensive long-term, pre-clinical studies of the major DPP-4 inhibitors has failed to show any evidence of potential to cause tumors in laboratory animals, there was one in-vitro (i.e., test tube) study that has raised some questions.