Clinicians have many safe and effective options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes that can improve glycemic control and effect other cardio-metabolic parameters. Sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2) are the most recent class of therapies, have a novel mechanism of action, and provide good glycemic efficacy and a favorable cardiovascular risk profile. Cost-effectiveness data can play an important role in assessing the benefits of this class of therapy in anti-diabetes treatment regimens. Areas covered: This review summarizes all the available evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors. For the purposes of this article, the authors have performed a systematic review of pharmacoeconomic analyses through a non-restricted literature until June 2018. Expert opinion: The available analyses demonstrate that SGLT-2 inhibitors are a more cost-effective option compared to other oral anti-diabetes therapies and insulin in the treatment of individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Future studies should examine populations with renal and liver disease and expand data of some SGLT-2 inhibitors to patients at high cardiovascular risk and hard endpoint data.
Keywords: canagliflozin; cost-effectiveness; dapagliflozin; empagliflozin; type 2 diabetes.