1. Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• What is the treatment for diabetes?
• Medications for type 2 diabetes
• Sulfonylureas
• Meglitinides - (Prandin and Starlix)
• Medications that decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver
• Medications that increase glucose excretion by the kidney
• Medications that increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin (Actos and Avandia)
• Medications that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine (Precose)
• Medications that affect glycemic control (Symlin, Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon)
• DPP-IV inhibitors
• Combination medications
• Treatment of diabetes with insulin
• Different methods of delivering insulin
• Pre-filled insulin pens
• Insulin pump
• Inhaled Insulin
• Intranasal, Transderm
• Diabetes diet
• The future of pancreas transplantation
• Patient Comments: Diabetes - Diet
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Effective Treatments
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Medications
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Diabetes Treatment Index

GLP-1 in the body is broken down by an enzyme called DPP IV. Logically, you can either make a synthetic GLP-1 that is not broken down by this enzyme (for example, Byetta) OR you could try to stop the enzyme that breaks down the GLP-1 your body already makes. Hence, the new class of drugs called DPP IV inhibitors. They do just that, that is, they inhibit this enzyme from breaking down GLP-1. This allows GLP-1 already in the blood to circulate longer. There are a number of companies working on this class of drug.

A few years ago, the FDA approved the first drug in this class made by Merck and called sitagliptin (Januvia). Januvia can be used in combination with certain other medications and must be dose adjusted in patients with poor kidney function. In August 2009, a second drug in this class was approved, made Bristol Myers Squibb and Astra Zeneca called saxagliptin and marketed as Onglyza. In 2011, another drug in this class, linagliptin, marketed as Tradjenta was approved.

These drugs have essentially the same side effect profile as Byetta; however, they are in pill form. While Byetta has a significant weight loss profile, DPP-IV inhibitors so far have had no effect on weight.

Glyburide/metformin (Glucovance), rosiglitazone/metformin (Avandamet), glipizide/metformin (Metaglip), and pioglitazone/metformin (Actoplus met), and metformin/sitagliptin (Janumet) are are five relatively new combination pills that are on the market to treat diabetes.

• Glucovance combines glyburide with metformin in varying doses.
• Avandamet is a combination of varying doses of Avandia and metformin.
• Actoplusmet is a combination of varying doses of pioglitazone and metformin.
• Metaglip is a combination pill containing glipizide and metformin in varying strengths.
• Janumet is a combination of two drugs, metformin and sitagliptin.

The benefit to these combination drugs is that there are fewer pills to take, hopefully leading to better compliance. While they work well, I personally like to give patients individual medications until I know what doses are working, and then switch to a combination pill once the patient has been stable on the doses of individual medications for a period of time.