skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8838

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in the early treatment of type 2 diabetes

Review

(3106) Views  (799) Full article downloads

Authors: Floris Alexander van de Laar

Published Date October 2008 Volume 2008:4(6) Pages 1189 - 1195
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S3119

Floris Alexander van de Laar

Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of General Practice, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Abstract: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are drugs that inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates from the gut and may be used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. There is currently no evidence that AGIs are beneficial to prevent or delay mortality or micro- or macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Its beneficial effects on glycated hemoglobin are comparable to metformin or thiazolidinediones, and probably slightly inferior to sulphonylurea. In view of the total body of evidence metformin seems to be superior to AGIs. More long-term studies are needed to study the effects of AGIs compared to other drugs. For patient with impaired glucose tolerance AGIs may prevent, delay or mask the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. A possible beneficial effect on cardiovascular events should be confirmed in new studies.

Keywords: alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance








Readers of this article also read:

A review of pioglitazone HCL and glimepiride in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Review of biphasic insulin aspart in the treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes
Orlistat in the prevention of diabetes in the obese patient
Combination treatment in the management of type 2 diabetes: focus on vildagliptin and metformin as a single tablet
Pupillography of automated swinging flashlight test in amblyopia
Safety and efficacy of nateglinide/metformin combination therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Prevalence of risk factors, coronary and systemic atherosclerosis in abdominal aortic aneurysm: Comparison with high cardiovascular risk population
Radiolucency below the crown of mandibular horizontal incompletely impacted third molars and acute inflammation in men with diabetes
Role of aliskiren in cardio-renal protection and use in hypertensives with multiple risk factors
Erratum
  • Join ISVH

    Be part of the World's leading experts in vascular health by joining the International Society of Vascular Health (ISVH)

  • Testimonials

    "... I was impressed at the rapidity of publication from submission to final acceptance." Dr Edwin Thrower, PhD, Yale University