Abstract

SGLT2 INHIBITORS: A NEW CLASS OF DRUGS FOR TYPE-II DIABETES MELLITUS

Lahari Samudrala*, T. Ramya Krishna, V. Sireesha and Pooja Agarwal 

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is on the rise. No longer a disease of predominantly rich nations, the prevalence of diabetes is steadily increasing everywhere, most markedly in the world’s middle-income countries. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new group of oral medications used for treating type II Diabetes Mellitus. The drugs work by helping the kidneys to lower the blood glucose levels. Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. The present therapeutic classes of anti-diabetic drugs are not adequately effective in maintaining long-term glycemic control in the most patients. Sodium glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors including Dapagliflozin, Canagliflozin and Empagliflozin act by a novel insulin-independent mechanism by blocking glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule resulting in markedly increased glycosuria, and blocking the formation of proteins.

Keywords: Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors.