Abstract

CONTRERAS, F et al. Nuevos Aspectos en el Tratamiento de la Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2. AVFT [online]. 2001, vol.20, n.1, pp.6-26. ISSN 0798-0264.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent diseases all over the world and is a public health problem due its acute and chronic complications. Actually, there are five different oral drugs regarding glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes available in the United States, each one with a distinct mechanism of action. The finished United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), has demonstrated that Type 2 Diabetes is a progressive disorder that can be initially treated with an oral agent monoterapy, but eventually will require the addition of another agent, and in many patients, will be needed insulin therapy to achieve satisfactory glycemic levels. In the UKPDS the improved glycemic control, unrelated of the employed agent (sulfonylureas, biguanides or insulin), diminished the incidence of microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy) and macrovascular complications. This review examines the antithyperglycemic therapy and mechanism of action, efficacy, and the non-glycemic benefits of the five oral agents actually in use.

Keywords : Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Oral hypoglycemic drugs; Insulin; Microvascular and Macrovascular complications.