Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Debate continues over safety of incretin mimetics

  • News item
  • Published:
Reactions Weekly Aims and scope

Incretin mimetics, which include glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists (such as exenatide and liraglutide), and dipeptidylpeptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors (such as alogliptin and sitagliptin), are considered a major advancement in the management of type 2 diabetes, particularly given their dual mechanisms of action, in enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon, to reduce blood glucose; their low propensity to cause hypoglycaemia; and their beneficial effects on bodyweight. However, of recent times, there has been considerable debate and controversy regarding the potential for incretin mimetics to cause pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. see Reactions 1442 p3; 801161308

  2. see Reactions 1450 p4; 801161350

References

  1. Cohen D. Has pancreatic damage from glucagon suppressing diabetes drugs been underplayed? BMJ 346: f3680 [7 pages], 10 Jul 2013. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f3680.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. MOSES A. Novo Nordisk replies to BMJ investigation on incretins and pancreatic damage. BMJ 347: f4386 [1 page], 15 Jul 2013. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f4386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Halfdanarson TR. Incretins and risk of neoplasia -- An association exists but causality has not yet been proved. BMJ 346: f3750 [2 pages], 10 Jun 2013. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f3750.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk - Victoza(Rm) safety profile further supported atscientific workshop on pancreatitis, diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Media Release : 13 Jun 2013. Available from: URL: http://www.novonordisk.com.

  5. American Diabetes Association. American Diabetes Association Calls for Independent Review of Incretin Therapy. Media Release : 10 Jun 2013. Available from: URL: http://www.diabetes.org.

  6. Barnett AH, et al. Cardiovascular benefits of incretins BMJ : f4382 [2 pages], No. 346, 10 Jul 2013. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f4382.

Download references

Authors
  1. Lesley Scott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scott, L. Debate continues over safety of incretin mimetics. Reactions Weekly 1461, 3 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40278-013-4523-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40278-013-4523-6

Search

Navigation