Handbook on Incretin Therapies

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) occurs when the body either resists the effects of insulin or does not produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Management and treatment strategies for T2DM are aimed towards achieving the recommended glycemic goals (<7% glycated hemoglobin) and include lifestyle interventions (improved diet and exercise) and pharmacological therapies.

Incretins are a group of gastrointestinal hormones that increase the amount of insulin released from ß-cells and have been a target for diabetes therapies over the past few years. The two classes of incretin therapy, GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors have been integrated into the management guidelines for T2DM.