Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes: A Literature Review of Approved Products

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus continues to be a major health issue worldwide. Despite all of the treatment options available on the market, many patients with diabetes fail to reach their treatment goals. Novel agents such as the Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors show promise in effectively lowering blood glucose. Objective: To review the scientific literature for efficacy information regarding the use of approved SGLT2 inhibitors (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A MEDLINE (1950-August 2014) literature review was performed. All of the literature published as an original clinical trial was included in this review. Other pertinent articles published related to the original clinical trial were also included. Meta-analysis type studies were not selected for this review. Conclusions: With an increasing prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide, there is an apparent need for effective therapeutic strategies to combat this chronic and progressive disease. SGLT2 inhibitors offer this potential. Recently approved agents (canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) have shown significant promise as mono- and add-on therapy to current glucose-lowering regimens that may not otherwise be providing sufficient glycemic control in T2DM patients.