Patient considerations in the management of type 2 diabetes - critical appraisal of dapagliflozin.
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 350 million people worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing. Many patients with diabetes do not achieve and/or maintain glycemic targets, despite therapy implementation and escalation. Multiple therapeutic classes of agents are available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and the armamentarium has expanded significantly in the past decade. Selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, including dapagliflozin, represent the latest development in pharmacologic treatment options for type 2 diabetes. This class has a unique mechanism of action, working by increasing glucose excretion in the urine. The insulin-independent mechanism results in decreased serum glucose, without hypoglycemia or weight gain. Dapagliflozin is a once-daily oral therapy. Expanding therapy options for a complex patient population is critical, and dapagliflozin has a distinct niche that can be a viable option for select patients with diabetes.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT, USA.
Marissa C
MC
Salvo
Department of Pharmacy Practice, St Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, MO, USA.
Amie D
AD
Brooks
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, USA.
Stacey M
SM
Thacker
SGLT2 inhibitor; pharmacological treatment; selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors