Glycosmedia

Diabetes News Service

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookies Policy
  • News
  • Archive
  • Categories & Tags
  • Journal Watch
  • Updates
  • Education
  • Reviews
  • About us ▼
    • About Glycosmedia
    • Editorial Team
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Comments
    • Press Releases
    • Disclaimer
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors

July 24th 2012

There are currently seven classes of antidiabetic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (indeed, eight if you include bromocriptine, which has FDA approval for this use) but this is about to change with the launch of dapagliflozin which is expected later this year. ‘Dapa’ was given its European licence in April 2012 and is the first of a class of drugs which inhibit the action of the sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT-2); three more are in development.

SGLT-2 is predominantly found in the proximal tubules of the kidney where it is responsible for the majority of glucose reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate. Blocking its action promotes glycosuria and is an entirely novel way of reducing blood glucose levels. In trials, once daily, oral administration of dapa (10mg OD) achieves an HbA1c reduction of ~0.8% (typical of add-on therapies) but with the added benefits of weight loss (around 3Kg) and a reduction in systolic blood pressure.

The drug is generally well tolerated but there is (as might be anticipated) an increase in genital (thrush) and urinary tract infection. The FDA has delayed licensing in the US on the basis of a ‘signal’ of increased bladder and breast cancer risk, but the numbers are small and I suspect these concerns will turn out to be unfounded.

One exciting aspect of the SGLT-2 mechanism of action is the potential for use with insulin, and so for use in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, especially where weight is an issue. Whether this will be sanctioned by NICE remains to be seen, and the drug will have to navigate its way through a Single Technology Appraisal, planned for 2013….

Professor Steve Bain

Categories: Updates

Diabetes Updates Archive

calendar-iconDiabetes Updates Archive ››

Subscribe

subscribe-iconFREE weekly updates by email Please CLICK HERE

Gold Sponsors

Novo NordiskBoehringer IngelheimNapp DiabetesAstraZeneca

Silver Sponsors

About Ascensia Diabetes CareAbbott Diabetes CareWelsh Endocrinology and Diabetes Society (WEDS)

FUNDING NOTICE

The Glycosmedia website and newsletter has been made possible with funding support from our sponsors. None of our sponsors have control over the content of the website, newsletter, apps, Twitter feed or RSS newsfeed.

For information about sponsorship and advertising please contact our editor-in-chief Jim Young jim@glycosmedia.com

Advertisers

CRC Press

The organisations advertising in this section do not have any input into, or editorial control over the content of this website.

Join us on Facebook

Join us on Facebook

Please share Glycosmedia:

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

mobileGlycosmedia is also available as an App:

For iPhone and iPad | For Android devices


Sponsorship and Advertising

For information about sponsorship and advertising please contact our editor-in-chief Jim Young jim@glycosmedia.com

Copyright © 2022 Glycosmedia Partnership