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This book aims to provide an update on drugs available for the treatment
of type 2 diabetes and where they fit within current treatment algorithms.
The limited efficacy and tolerability of older drugs has spurred the
development of several new classes of oral and injectable glucose-lowering
agents with novel modes of action. These advances reflect progress in our
understanding of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Old and newer
drugs are increasingly being used side-by-side.
Type 2 diabetes is a highly complex and heterogeneous disorder that
demands careful consideration of the risk-to-benefit profile of glucose-
lowering drugs. The need for drug treatment to be tailored to the in-
dividual patient is a recurring theme throughout the text. The potential for
serious unwanted effects, notably recent safety concerns about the risk of
cardiovascular events, has led to more intense scrutiny of new agents.
These risks have to be balanced against hopes for more effective long-term
metabolic control, improved tolerability and better clinical outcomes. The
higher cost of new drugs compared with long-established options is an
important additional consideration for healthcare systems with finite
resources.
Readers are directed to their national clinical guidance on use of these
new drugs. It should be noted that the product licenses for individual
agents not infrequently differ between countries. New indications and
fixed-dose combinations can be expected to appear. Safety warnings from
regulatory authorities should be heeded. |
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