Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists to determine their role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Data sources: A Medline search was conducted using the keywords exenatide, liraglutide, glucagon-like peptide-1, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and safety.

Study selection: All identified articles written in English were evaluated with priority given to controlled, randomized trials including human data. References of identified published trials were reviewed for additional trials to be included in the review.

Data synthesis: Exenatide and liraglutide are GLP-1 agonists approved for the treatment of T2DM. Several randomized, active and placebo controlled trials examining the efficacy and safety of exenatide and liraglutide both as monotherapy and in combination therapy have been conducted. Both agents have demonstrated improved glycemic control in addition to weight loss and increased beta-cell function. The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal in nature and appear to be transient.

Conclusion: It appears exenatide and liraglutide are safe and effective in the treatment of T2DM and may exhibit effects that make them preferred over other anti-diabetic medications.