Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

Liraglutide is an example of an incretin mimetic, which belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Incretins are hormones produced in the gut in response to food intake, and they play a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism. They work primarily by promoting insulin secretion from the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.

Liraglutide mimics the action of the naturally occurring incretin hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), thus enhancing the body's ability to lower blood sugar levels after meals. This makes it particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as it helps improve glycemic control.

In contrast, the other medications mentioned serve different functions in diabetes management. Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that slows carbohydrate absorption in the intestines, while repaglinide is a meglitinide that stimulates immediate insulin secretion from the pancreas. Sitagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that increases the levels of incretin hormones in the body but does not directly mimic their action. Therefore, liraglutide stands out as a clear example of an incretin mimetic.