Abstract
While lifestyle modifications and metformin are the cornerstone of the initial management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, there is an increasing array of second and third-line pharmacological agents for this condition. These include sulphonylureas, insulin, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, with the more recent addition of glucagon- like peptide-1 agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors and pramlintide. Moreover, insulin analogues that better simulate endogenous insulin secretion have been developed. This review aims to provide an update on the current pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to highlight the benefits and limitations of each treatment.
MeSH terms
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
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Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / agonists
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Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
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Humans
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Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
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Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Insulin / therapeutic use
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Islet Amyloid Polypeptide / therapeutic use
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Sulfonylurea Compounds / therapeutic use
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Thiazolidinediones / therapeutic use
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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Insulin
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Islet Amyloid Polypeptide
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Sulfonylurea Compounds
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Thiazolidinediones
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Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
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pramlintide