Background: Because of the progressive nature of the disease, most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus eventually require multiple treatments to achieve glycaemic targets. The majority of available therapies are insulin dependent, aiming to decrease insulin resistance and increase insulin secretion. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a new class of antidiabetic agents, limit renal glucose reabsorption promoting urinary excretion of glucose, thereby reducing plasma glucose.
Objective: This article explores the mechanism of action and clinical data surrounding SGLT2 inhibitors, with a particular focus on dapagli-flozin.
Conclusion: Clinical trials have shown dapagliflozin to be effective in reducing glycosylated haemoglobin, weight and fasting plasma glucose, either as monotherapy or as add-on therapy to metformin, sulphonylurea and insulin. Other SGLT2 inhibitors are currently under investigation.