Patient was educated on dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and their mechanism of action as follows:

  1. Some individuals with type-2 diabetes are deficient in the secretion of incretins.
  2. The deficiency in incretin secretion will contribute to reduced insulin secretion in these individuals, which leads to elevated blood sugars.
  3. Over time, Incretins are naturally degraded by the action of enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase.
  4. Inhibition of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase, by these medications (Gliptins, in short) allows the incretins to be active for longer period.
  5. Incretins active for longer time will contribute towards increased insulin secretion, which increases the tissue uptake of glucose and reduces the blood sugar.
  6. These Gliptins can be used alone or in combination with other medications to manage cases of type-2 diabetes.