Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has become a worldwide epidemic. Despite a vast array of new compounds to treat T2DM, recommended treatment goals are consistently not achieved in this country thus suggesting a need to increase treatment options.
Objective: To review the role of DPP-4 inhibitors in treatment of T2DM with an emphasis on saxagliptin.
Methods: The authors discuss the role of this new class of medications in treatment of T2DM, review the current available studies and the unique characteristics of saxagliptin.
Results and conclusions: Saxagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, is one of an important new class of compounds, which seems to be particularly safe and effective especially in early treatment of T2DM.