Which drugs are DPP-4 inhibitors?

Which drugs are DPP-4 inhibitors?

• A. Sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin, linagliptin, alogliptin
• B. Metformin, glyburide
• C. Insulin lispro, insulin glargine
• D. Pioglitazone, rosiglitazone

Answer: (C)

DPP-4 inhibitors block the enzyme that degrades incretin hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), so these drugs prolong incretin activity and enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon. The DPP-4 inhibitor drugs are sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. Other listed drugs aren’t DPP-4 inhibitors: metformin and glyburide are not DPP-4 inhibitors (metformin works mainly by reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity; glyburide is a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release); insulin lispro and insulin glargine are insulin analogs used for replacement therapy; pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are thiazolidinediones that improve insulin sensitivity via PPAR-gamma activation.

DPP-4 inhibitors block the enzyme that degrades incretin hormones (GLP-1 and GIP), so these drugs prolong incretin activity and enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon. The DPP-4 inhibitor drugs are sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. Other listed drugs aren’t DPP-4 inhibitors: metformin and glyburide are not DPP-4 inhibitors (metformin works mainly by reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity; glyburide is a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release); insulin lispro and insulin glargine are insulin analogs used for replacement therapy; pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are thiazolidinediones that improve insulin sensitivity via PPAR-gamma activation.