Via practica 2/2014

Efficiency and safety of linagliptin – relevance to clinical practice

Treatment of type 2 diabetes is based on lifestyle adjustments in combination with pharmacotherapy. Metformin is the first line therapy and after metformin there are several groups of drugs that can be chosen. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (gliptins) are modern antidiabetic drugs affecting incretin system. All gliptins are effective and relatively safe. For most gliptins it is necessary to continuously monitor renal and hepatic function. Linagliptin has advantages in minimal hepatic metabolism and minimal renal excretion. In daily practice, it is not necessary to monitor liver and renal function during the treatment with linagliptin and thanks to minimal hepatic metabolism of linagliptin there is minimal potential for drug interactions. Case report presented in this article provides an example of use of linagliptin in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, including therapeutic consideration that led to adding of linagliptin for treatment of this patient.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, DPP-4 inhibitors, linagliptin, treatment of diabetes