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DPP-4

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, the enzyme that rapidly breaks down the body's own GLP-1 within minutes.

Updated Jul 18, 2026

DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) is an enzyme that rapidly degrades the body's own GLP-1. Native GLP-1 has a half-life of only about one to two minutes, largely because DPP-4 breaks it down so quickly.

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications are engineered to resist this enzyme, which is what lets them stay active in the body far longer than natural GLP-1 does.

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