Achieving antihyperglycemic treatment goals with incretin-related therapies.

The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains challenging. Limitations associated with many current therapies include hypoglycemia and weight gain. An increased understanding of the pathophysiology of T2DM has led to the development of incretin-related antihyperglycemic therapies. These agents enhance insulin secretion and inhibit inappropriate glucagon secretion, both in a glucose-dependent manner. As a result, they can lower blood glucose levels with a low risk of hypoglycemia or weight gain. Incretin-based therapies, the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and the glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonists, are now integrated into T2DM treatment algorithms. Trial data and clinical experience have shown that these agents are efficacious and generally well tolerated.