Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk: Are Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors Beneficial?

Howard, Patricia A. PharmD, FCCP, BCPS (AQ CV)

^*Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas Medical Center, Mailstop 4047, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160; phone: 913-588-5391; fax: 913-588-2355; e-mail: [email protected]

Hospital Pharmacy 49(8):p 697-701, September 2014. | DOI: 10.1310/hpj4908-697

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Whereas the link between glycemic control and reducing microvascular disease is firmly established, the evidence for macrovascular risk reduction remains unclear. Despite a host of available drugs for lowering serum glucose, none to date have been shown to substantially reduce CV risk and some have been associated with adverse effects. Recent trials have examined the CV effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or “gliptins.”