[Pharmacological and clinical profile of alogliptin benzoate (NESINA®)]

Alogliptin: A new dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

The pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, and place in therapy of alogliptin and its combinations for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus are reviewed.

SUMMARY

Alogliptin is a selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). It works by slowing the inactivation of the incretin hormones, thereby increasing their concentrations in the bloodstream and reducing fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations in a glucose-dependent manner in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Alogliptin has a moderate degree of absorption, estimated to exceed 75%, and its absorption is not affected by food. No drug interactions are known to be associated with alogliptin monotherapy. It is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The clinical efficacy and safety of alogliptin have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, reducing patients' glycosylated hemoglobin level by 0.4-1.0% in 26 weeks. Alogliptin does not require any dosage adjustment when coadministered with ketoconazole, fluconazole, gemfibrozil, warfarin, metformin, glyburide, and pioglitazone. Alogliptin selectively binds to and inhibits DPP-4 in vitro at concentrations approximating therapeutic exposures. The most common adverse events associated with alogliptin are nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory tract infection. As with the other DPP-4 inhibitors, use of alogliptin may be associated with the development of pancreatitis during therapy.

CONCLUSION

Alogliptin, a selective DPP-4 inhibitor, does not differ greatly from the other DPP-4 inhibitors currently available. It can be used as monotherapy or in combination with metformin for the management of type 2 diabetes.

Alogliptin as an initial therapy in patients with newly diagnosed, drug naïve type 2 diabetes: a randomized, control trial

The objectives of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin versus very low fat/calorie traditional Japanese diet (non-inferiority trial) as an initial therapy for newly diagnosed, drug naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Study design was prospective, randomized, non-double-blind, controlled trial. The study was conducted at outpatient units of municipal hospital. Patients were newly diagnosed, drug naïve patients who visited the outpatient units. The patients randomly received 12.5-25 mg/day alogliptin (n = 25) or severe low calorie traditional Japanese diet (n = 26). The procedure of this trial was assessed by the consolidated standards of reporting trials statement. The primary end point was the change of HbA1c at 3 months. Secondary end points included the changes of fasting blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-R (HOMA-R), HOMA-B, body mass index (BMI), and lipid parameters. Similar, significant reductions of HbA1c levels were observed in both groups (from 10.51 to 8.74% for alogliptin and from 10.01 to 8.39% for traditional Japanese diet) without any clinically significant adverse events. In the alogliptin group, some subjects (16%) had mild hypoglycemic evens which could be managed by taking glucose drinks by themselves. HOMA-B significantly increased in both groups with varying degrees, whereas HOMA-R significantly decreased only in the Japanese diet group. Atherogenic lipids, such as, total cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly decreased in both groups. BMI had no change in the alogliptin group, whereas it significantly decreased in the Japanese diet group. (1) Concerning its glycemic efficacy, alogliptin is effective and non-inferior to traditional Japanese diet as an initial therapeutic option for newly diagnosed T2DM. However, regarding the reductions of body weight and insulin resistance, traditional Japanese diet is superior. (2) Both alogliptin and traditional Japanese diet have favorable effects on atherogenic lipid profiles.