Diabetes and its Complications and SGLT-2 Inhibitors: A Novel Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide. The pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes until the last decade only consisted of biguanides, sulphonylureas, and insulin. The existing therapeutic classes of antidiabetic drugs are not adequately effective in maintaining long-term glycemic control in most patients, even when used in combination. One emerging novel therapeutic class of antidiabetic drugs is sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 accounts for 90% of the glucose reabsorption in the kidney. The SGLT2 inhibitors increase urinary excretion of glucose and lower plasma glucose levels in an insulin-independent manner. Forxiga (Dapagliflozin) the most prominent molecule in this class is currently approved by USFDA. Other members of this class (eg, sergliflozin, remogliflozin) are also effective. This class of novel agents can effectively control blood sugar level without producing weight gain or hypoglycemia.