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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and multifactorial strategies to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Antihyperglycemic agents are directed towards one or more of the pathophysiological defects of type 2 diabetes, or modify physiological processes relating to appetite or to nutrient absorption. In recent years, incretin-based therapies such as glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4) have become important therapeutic options for treatment of type 2 diabetes. In addition to the proven glucose-lowering efficacy, the incretin agents have numerous extraglycaemic effects that could translate into potential cardiovascular and other benefits. Available data suggest that incretin-based therapies could prevent cardiovascular disease via multiple mechanisms. Longer-term trials designed to assess the effect on major cardiovascular events are currently ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]