• Gary Kilov, Stephen Leow, and Merlin Thomas.
• MBBCh, is Director, Seaport Diabetes, Launceston, Tasmania.
• Aust Fam Physician. 2013 Oct 1; 42 (10): 706-10.

BackgroundBecause of the progressive nature of the disease, most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus eventually require multiple treatments to achieve glycaemic targets. The majority of available therapies are insulin dependent, aiming to decrease insulin resistance and increase insulin secretion. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a new class of antidiabetic agents, limit renal glucose reabsorption promoting urinary excretion of glucose, thereby reducing plasma glucose.ObjectiveThis article explores the mechanism of action and clinical data surrounding SGLT2 inhibitors, with a particular focus on dapagli-flozin.ConclusionClinical trials have shown dapagliflozin to be effective in reducing glycosylated haemoglobin, weight and fasting plasma glucose, either as monotherapy or as add-on therapy to metformin, sulphonylurea and insulin. Other SGLT2 inhibitors are currently under investigation.

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