Dapagliflozin: more than just another oral glucose-lowering agent?

Abstract

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD:

With current hypoglycemic therapies, only half of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients achieve optimal glycemic control and even fewer maintain it. Therefore, there is an unmet need for novel antidiabetic agents. Dapagliflozin, a selective inhibitor of sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2), targets hyperglycemia independently of insulin, via decreasing renal glucose reabsorption.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW:

We critically assess the results of up-to-date clinical trials with dapagliflozin in patients with T2DM and discuss its potential therapeutic applications.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN:

Dapagliflozin, apart from targeting hyperglycemia, also exerts beneficial effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, body weight and waist circumference. Furthermore, serum uric acid and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were decreased in dapagliflozin-treated patients. However, there are also potentially negative effects related to dapagliflozin use that need to be addressed, such as increased hematocrit and serum parathyroid levels and the possibility of a higher rate of urinary tract and genital infections.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:

The use of dapagliflozin in the treatment of T2DM patients seems promising but more evidence is needed.

• Authors: Niki Katsiki, Nikolaos Papanas, Dimitri P Mikhailidis
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 19 Issue 12 Pg. 1581-9 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21105857 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Benzhydryl Compounds
• Blood Glucose
• Glucosides
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins
• dapagliflozin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Benzhydryl Compounds
• Blood Glucose (drug effects, metabolism)
• Clinical Trials as Topic (methods)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (blood, drug therapy)
• Glucosides (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypoglycemic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Sodium-Glucose Transport Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors)