Efficacious and safe management of type 2 diabetes mellitus using DPP-4 inhibitors

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is believed to be the third most frequent direct cause of death after cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Therefore, solutionof DM-related problems is a major challenge facing health authorities in many countries. No doubt, strict control of glycemia is an indispensablecondition for the reduction of the frequency of diabetic complications. Indeed, many strategies developed in the recent years allowed metabolic controlin DM patients to be significantly improved. Basic and clinical research of the last decade provided a basis for the development of highly promisingtrends in the treatment of CD2, such as the use of incretins. Inhibitors of dipeptylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) including Galvus (vildagliptin) and GalvusMet (vildagliptin + metformin) have been available in this country for the last 2 years. International studies showed high efficiency and safety of bothagents. They help to achieve adequate glycemic control in the absence of side effects and complications. Galvus significantly reduces daily variabilityof glycemia that is known to be a risk factor of severe vascular complications of DM. Another advantage of these drugs is they can be used by agedpatients at risk of cardiovascular disorders suffering hypertension. An example of combined therapy using Galvus Met in a DM2 patient is presenteddemonstrating markedly improved glycemic control, blood glucose dynamics, and quality of life. Galvus and Galvus Met can be prescribed as aninitial treatment in combination with all traditional oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• dpp-4 inhibitors
• galvus-met