Overview of the Guidelines and Evidence for the Pharmacologic Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The number of novel treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus, including those with distinctive mechanisms of action, has risen sharply this decade, and health care providers must be aware of the drugs' safety and efficacy in order to provide patients with the best care possible. Guidelines for type 2 diabetes provide recommendations for initiating and continuing treatment that will enable patients to achieve glycemic control and maintain it over time. Several recently completed, large clinical trials have provided information pertaining to potential benefits and risks of achieving specific treatment goals, and medical professionals should consider applying the insights from these trials when optimizing care for their patients. The pharmacist plays an essential role in helping patients achieve and maintain tight glycemic control by assisting other health care providers in understanding and utilizing the guidelines as part of individualized treatment regimens.