The results of the UKPDS study have demonstrated the importance of achieving an ideal level of glycemic control to guarantee the prevention or significant slowdown of the development of complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, a later study put in question the necessity of strict control in all the patients presenting with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) because low HbA1c levels proved to be by no means always associated with the improvement of prognosis and even increased the risk of cardiovascular complications. Further investigations revealed the expediency of the treatment of diabetes mellitus on an individual basis with respect to both hypoglycemic therapy and formulation of its goals. The notion of safety of DM therapy acquired the primary significance. In this context, any novel approach ensuring the safety of treatment deserves serious attention. One such approach consists of taking advantage of the physiological benefits provided by the use of incretins that are intestinal hormones possessed of hypoglycemic activity. Our experience with the use of one of the DPP-4 inhibitors, vildagliptin, allows to recommend this preparation for the treatment of diabetic patients.