Abstract
Vildagliptin is a substance that has been used in diabetology for many years already. Our physicians are well acquainted with its indications and clinical use.
It has gain popularity especially in fixed combination with metformin. Starting with its marketing in the Czech Republic, vildagliptin has gradually become widely used in monotherapy of patients who cannot receive metformin, and in patients treated with dual or triple combination antidiabetic therapy,ncluding combinations with insulin.
Many new publications have been seen over the last years stressing the importance of vildagliptin and calling attention to a number of new phenomena found during its therapeutic use. Vildagliptin reduces bodily weight in well-compensated patients with diabetes.
Another work demonstrates marked reduction of glycaemia variability. This is related to the favourable impact of the drug on carotid intima thickness, and the reduction of oxidative stress.
Vildagliptin does not reduce the secretion of GLP-1 a GIP in hypoglycaemia arising during insulin therapy. It increases the safety of combination therapy with a DPP-4 inhibitor in combination with insulin.
Vildagliptin is thus becoming a highly relevant substance that might be regarded as having some advantages in comparison with other antidiabetics.