Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors are a group of medications that present a new approach for people who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. The way the DDP-4 Inhibitors work is unlike any other type of glucose-lowering medications. DDP-4 Inhibitors are used for enhancing the incretion system. The incretion system is a body system that naturally lowers blood sugar. If blood sugar is high, incretion works in two ways. One way is by helping the pancreas produce more insulin. When this happens, it will also trigger the liver to produce less glucose.
There are a few different DDP-4 Inhibitors available. One of the popular medications is Januvia. It is the first when it comes to DDP-4 Inhibitors. Januvia is an oral Diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It regulates the amounts of sugar your body produces after eating food. Januvia is used for people with Type 2 Diabetes. It is not used for treating Type 1. It can also be used with other Diabetes medicines. Januvia can have side effects such as a runny nose, sore throat, headache, and nausea.
Another type of DPP-4 Inhibitor is Janumet. Janumet contains two other medicines which are Januvia and metformin. Janumet is used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in people who have Type 2 Diabetes. It is an option for individuals whose blood sugar is not controlled well enough and have used Januvia or metformin in the past. It is also used for people who are either already on both Januvia and metformin for different reasons.
Janumet helps is a few ways. One way is by improving the amount of insulin after meals. It also is less likely to cause hypoglycemia. It decreases the amount of sugar produced by the body, and can also help your body handle the insulin it naturally makes.
Janumet is not right for everyone. People who have Type 1 Diabetes will not be able to take it. A person who has kidney problems is also not likely to get this medication.
Galvus is one other type of DPP-4 Inhibitor. Studies done on Galvus have showed that over one year, it reduced the level of sugar in the blood. When taking Galvus it is not likely to cause weight gain, which is a common worry amongst people with Diabetes who are watching their weight. Galvus works by lowering the blood sugar. It targets the cells that have dysfunction and appropriately responds to the sugar in blood.
DDP-4 Inhibitors have an advantage over other medications because they control glucose with stability and cause little rise in A1c levels for long amounts of time. When using other medications, over time the glucose levels will rise again. DPP-4 Inhibitors help to keep levels down for long periods of time.
DDP-4 Inhibitors are a great option for helping someone with Type 2 Diabetes. DDP-4 Inhibitors may not be suitable for everyone. If you are interested in switching to this type of medication, it is best to discuss this with your Doctor. This way you can find the perfect one for you and stay risk-free and healthy in the future.
