Pharmacologic Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes, Pros and Cons

 Bryan Kuo, M.D., and Josephine H. Li, M.D.

DOI: 10.1056/EVIDra2400265

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex chronic disorder with an increasing prevalence. Treatment of T2D involves both lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions aimed at lowering blood glucose levels to help counteract the negative effects of long-term hyperglycemia. The range of pharmacologic treatments for T2D has grown substantially, with newer agents demonstrating not only glucose-lowering efficacy, but also reductions in long-term cardiometabolic complications. This review discusses the newest pharmacologic agents for the treatment of T2D and the evidence regarding their cardiometabolic benefits. We highlight key considerations for their use based on patient characteristics and clinical context. In addition, we discuss emerging pharmacologic therapies that target the underlying pathogenesis of T2D, underscoring ongoing advances in diabetes care.

https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/EVIDra2400265