Newer Type 2 Diabetes Medications Should Be Added To Metformin & Lifestyle Modification

Medication treatment for people with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycemic control should include a sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist to metformin and lifestyle modifications, according to a recent research-based recommendation. Adding these medications can reduce all-cause mortality and the risk of major cardiovascular events.

In an additional recommendation, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors should not be added to metformin and lifestyle modifications with the goal of reducing morbidity and all-cause mortality. These medications include sitagliptin (Januvia and Zituvio), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), and alogliptin . . .