[Pharmacological treatment of diabetes in the elderly]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease in the geriatric population. The elderly are at increased risk for adverse drug reactions (hypoglycemia) compared with the young due to physiological changes associated with age, high number of comorbidities and polypharmacy usually present, causing changes in drugs pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. At present, there are wide therapeutic options to treat DM, so it is important to know the different drug families and their potential side effects. As a general principle, metformin remains an appropriate option for the management of DM in the elderly, first-generation sulfonylureas (chlorpropamide) is preferable not to use due the high risk of hypoglycemia. Some thiazolidinediones have been associated with heart failure, as their use in the elderly is controversial. About the new drugs that act on the DPP-4, results are promising with a low risk profile of adverse reactions. We must consider the use of human insulin or insulin analogues in the elderly when not achieved with other hypoglycaemic agents. At the start of therapy is important to establish the most appropriate management goals based on patient comorbidities and their life expectancy.