Simplifying Type 2 DM Care with Linagliptin: A Position Paper.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is raising dramatically both internationally and in India. It is often observed that multiple therapies or combinations of different drugs are usually required to successfully control hyperglycemia in patients with T2DM. To facilitate effective control of glucose levels, many new agents have been developed over the past few years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple Advisory Board Meetings were conducted with 87 leading key opinion leaders (KOLs) from diabetes specialty PAN India to understand the simplicity aspect of linagliptin therapy in T2DM patients.

DISCUSSION: Linagliptin is a xanthine-based, non-peptidomimetic, selective dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor with a different pharmacological profile when compared to other DPP-4 inhibitors already available in India. It is known to decrease the risk of hypoglycemia compared to sulphonylurea (SU), is weight neutral, and no dose modification is required over a broad range of patient populations. This consensus paper discusses the clinical efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors and linagliptin in T2DM. It also highlights the evidence for the safety of linagliptin in T2DM patients with renal impairment (RI), cardiovascular (CV) risk, and heart failure (HF).

CONCLUSION: Linagliptin therapy is simplifying the management of T2DM with good efficacy and its use across a wide range of patients without any dose modification.