Current and Novel Pharmacological Management of Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease with significant and rising prevalence in today’s world with high mortality, morbidity, and cost of care associated with it. In this thesis I try to cover the disease itself and the most important aspects associated with it. Afterwards all the currently approved antidiabetic pharmaceutical treatment modalities are discussed. These include, insulins, biguanides, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, α-Glucosidase inhibitors, meglitinides, bile acid sequestrant, dopamine-2 agonists, and amylin mimetics. For each drug class, its mechanism of action, available agents, route of administration, and main side effects are discussed. When available they are compared to each other and their other effects in the body, for example being cardioprotective, is mentioned as these are also amongst the selection criteria for the therapy. Next, an overview of potential future pharmaceuticals for diabetes is given by going through agents that are available only in certain countries. Finally reviewing drugs that are currently in their clinical trial and are yet to be approved but have shown promising results with their glucose lowering abilities, other protective functions, or better side effect profile.