SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY OF VILDAGLIPTIN IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: NEWER PROMISING GLIPTIN FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) increases with age. Older patients have an increased likelihood for T2DM-related morbidity and mortality. The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor vildagliptin is approved for use as monotherapy and combination therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This article reviews the clinical efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as summarizing its pharmacological properties. Improvements in glycaemic control were also seen with vildagliptin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate or severe renal impairment. Vildagliptin was generally well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes, was weight neutral and was associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia, reflecting its glucose-dependent mechanism of action. The elderly population with T2DM poses unique treatment challenges and have not been particularly well-represented in clinical trials, highlighting the need for additional studies to better define appropriate glucose targets and to ascertain the best strategies for achieving and maintaining appropriate glycaemic levels. In conclusion, vildagliptin is an important option for use in combination with metformin, a sulfonylurea or a thiazolidinedione in patients with type 2 diabetes who require combination therapy. Keywords: DPP-4 inhibitors, Elderly, Oral hypoglycemic agents, Type 2 diabetes, Vildagliptin