Comprehensive care of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) includes aggressive management of this disease. It is critically important for patients with T2DM to meet target goals for glycemic control and long-term goals to prevent complications, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, kidney failure, etc. In this first chapter of the Living Medical Textbook™: Diabetes Edition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Practice, Alan J. Garber, MD, PhD, reviews both short- and long-term goals of care for patients with T2DM based on current guidelines and evidence-based medicine. Preventing chronic complications of T2DM is vital in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this serious disease.
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What is the function of DPP-4 and how does it affect glucose levels? Why is it a relevant therapeutic target in T2DM? How do DPP4 inhibitors help reduce hyperglycemia in T2DM? Janet B. McGill, MD, answers these questions by explaining the science behind DPP-4 and its inhibitors.
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Two FDA-approved formulations of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are currently available. In the third chapter of the Living Medical Textbook™: Diabetes Edition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Practice, Janet B. McGill, MD, reviews current data on their efficacy and safety. In addition, she provides practical information on how to best put them to use, identifying their most appropriate role in combination regimens, and explaining how to dose them and manage side effects.

What is the function of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) and how does it affect glucose levels? Why is it a relevant therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)? Do SGLT2 inhibitors in development have potential to reduce hyperglycemia in T2DM? In the fourth chapter of the Living Medical Textbook™: Diabetes Edition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Practice, Vivian Fonseca, MD, provides a detailed explanation of the science behind this emerging class of therapies for T2DM.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are emerging as an exciting new class of therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with four agents currently in development. In this fifth chapter of the Living Medical Textbook™: Diabetes Edition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Practice, Vivian Fonseca, MD, reviews current data on their efficacy and safety. In addition, he provides practical information on dosing and side effect management and considers where they might fit into the current armamentarium for the treatment of T2DM.