Used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, this compound functions as a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, helping to increase insulin release and reduce glucagon levels in a glucose-dependent manner. Its primary advantage lies in its long half-life, allowing for once-weekly dosing, which improves patient compliance compared to daily regimens. It is typically prescribed when diet and exercise alone are insufficient to control blood glucose levels. The agent can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin. It is not indicated for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. Due to its mechanism, it has a low risk of causing hypoglycemia when not used with insulin or sulfonylureas.