Dapagliflozin: where does it fit in the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes incidence continues to increase dramatically and is associated with serious microvascular and macrovascular complications. People with type 2 diabetes form a heterogeneous group; treatment regimens and therapeutic targets must take these individual circumstances into account. The number of available antihyperglycemic agents is expanding, requiring the clinician to consider many of the following factors when choosing medications: degree of hyperglycemia, risk of hypoglycemia, medication side effects, concomitant medical conditions, ability to adhere to regimen, and patient preferences. Lifestyle modification, including nutritional therapy and physical activity, should continue to be emphasized while pharmacotherapy is being used. Newer medications with unique mechanisms of action are still needed, as many patients fail to reach glycemic targets. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor that reduces hyperglycemia by inducing significant amounts of glucosuria. Clinical trials are defining the characteristics of this new class of medication and initial results are promising.
Woo
Vincent C
VC
Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Health Science Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada. woovc@umanitoba.ca
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005960:Glucosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008019:Life Style; D051247:Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D005960:Glucosides; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C089180:SLC5A2 protein, human; D051247:Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins; D051297:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2; D000077203:Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; C529054:dapagliflozin