What kind of medication class does Sitagliptin belong to?

Sitagliptin belongs to the class of medications known as gliptins, specifically classified as a DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitor. This class of medications is primarily used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Gliptins work by increasing the levels of incretin hormones, which help regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas and decreasing glucagon secretion.

Incretins are hormones that are released in response to food intake and play a crucial role in glucose metabolism. By inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, sitagliptin increases the availability of these hormones, thereby promoting better glycemic control without causing a significant risk of hypoglycemia, which can occur with other diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas.

Understanding this mechanism of action is important for pharmacy technicians, as it helps them to know how sitagliptin differs from other diabetes medications and enables them to provide accurate information and counseling to patients regarding their treatment options.