Updated October 29, 2007

Exenatide and Pramlintide
New Meds on the Block

by Stacy Griffin, Pharm.D., and John Borders, M.D.

The most commonly reported side effects of sitagliptin were stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, headache, diarrhea, and joint pain. The most common side effect of vildagliptin is hypoglycemia if a person has missed a meal or exercised strenuously. Fluid retention has occurred with vildagliptin in some people, but nausea has not been reported. Neither sitagliptin nor vildagliptin has been associated with weight gain. People who have taken vildagliptin while participating in research studies have experienced an average decrease in HbA1c of 0.6%. Large studies will help in evaluating the long-term safety information of DPP-IV inhibition.

Changing with the times
In 2004, despite the availability of numerous options for treating diabetes, studies showed that only 33% of people with Type 2 diabetes were meeting established targets for blood glucose control. Optimal blood glucose control is important to prevent or minimize the chronic complications that can be caused by diabetes, including nerve, kidney, eye, and heart disease.

If you are unable to keep your blood glucose levels in target range with your current diabetes plan, talk to your diabetes care team about other available treatment options, including those newly on the market. Work together with your team to achieve the best possible blood glucose control for you.

Stacy Griffin is a diabetes educator for Drs. Borders & Associates, PSC, an American Diabetes Association-recognized education service in Lexington, Kentucky, and John Borders is a practicing internist at Drs. Borders & Associates, PSC. Dr. Griffin is also a pharmacist at Central Baptist Hospital, also in Lexington, Kentucky.

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