Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is an increasing array of medicines available to improve blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. Finding the best combination for an individual patient requires an assessment of the patient's characteristics and understanding the mechanism of action for each drug. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to provide a rational approach for choosing between the various blood glucose-lowering medicines available for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DISCUSSION: Metformin is the first choice of glucose-lowering medicines for most patients with type 2 diabetes. Sulphonylureas have proven benefits in long-term trials. Insulin is required in patients with symptoms of insulin deficiency. Glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors provide some assistance in weight loss as well as improving blood glucose control. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors provide an alternative to metformin and sulphonylureas, especially when side effects of those drugs limit their use. Re-assessing blood glucose control after an appropriate trial period before deciding on continuing use is appropriate.
Source: PubMed
Author: Peter Davoren
Institution: Griffith University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2991850965