Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Incorporation of a Survivable Liver Biopsy Procedure in Mice to Assess Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis NASH Resolution
Published on: April 16, 2019
Liraglutide and DPP-4 inhibitors - side effects comparative clinical study
Luminiţa Timofte1, Bernd Stratmann2, Wulf Quester2
1Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany ; Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, showed more side effects than DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes patients. However, incretin therapy remains safe and effective, with side effects decreasing over time.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management often involves incretin-based therapies.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are key incretin therapies.
- Understanding comparative side effect profiles is crucial for patient safety and treatment adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the side effects of liraglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) with DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin, vildagliptin).
- To assess the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic efficiency of these incretin agents in overweight T2DM patients.
- To monitor adverse events over a 6-month period following therapy initiation.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study conducted at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW.
- Inclusion of overweight patients with T2DM whose treatment was switched to liraglutide or DPP-4 inhibitors.
- Utilized a validated questionnaire for side effect monitoring during hospitalization and at 3 and 6 months post-therapy initiation.
Main Results:
- Liraglutide therapy was associated with a higher incidence of side effects compared to DPP-4 inhibitors.
- Overall side effects demonstrated a declining trend over the 6-month study period.
- A low rate of therapy discontinuation was observed, indicating good tolerability despite initial side effects.
Conclusions:
- Incretin-based therapies, including liraglutide and DPP-4 inhibitors, are safe and effective for T2DM management.
- While liraglutide may present more initial side effects, its overall tolerability and efficacy support its use.
- Long-term monitoring suggests that side effects diminish, contributing to sustained therapeutic benefits in T2DM patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are...

