Update on the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: World journal of diabetes 2016-09, Vol.7 (17), p.354-395
• Main Authors: Juan Jose Marin-Penalver, Iciar Martin-Timon, Cristina Sevillano-Collantes, Francisco Javier del Canizo-Gomez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agents; antidiabetic; diabetes; Future; impairment; Injectable; mellitus; Older; Oral; people; Renal; Review; Treatment; treatments; Type
• ISSN: 1948-9358; 1948-9358
• DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v7.i17.354

To achieve good metabolic control in diabetes and keep long term, a combination of changes in lifestyle and pharmacological treatment is necessary. Achieving nearnormal glycated hemoglobin significantly, decreases risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. At present there are different treatments, both oral and injectable, available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Treatment algorithms designed to reduce the development or progression of the complications of diabetes emphasizes the need for good glycaemic control. The aim of this review is to perform an update on the benefits and limitations of different drugs, both current and future, for the treatment of T2DM. Initial intervention should focus on lifesty lechanges. Moreover, changes in lifestyle have proven to be beneficial, but for many patients is a complication keep long term. Physicians should be familiar with the different types of existing drugs for the treatment of diabetes and select the most effective, safe and better tolerated by patients. Metformin remains the first choice of treatment for most patients. Other alternative or second-line treatment options should be individualized depending on thecharacteristics of each patient. This article reviews the treatments available for patients with T2DM, with an emphasis on agents introduced within the last decade.