[Pharmaceutical and insulin therapy of diabetes mellitus type 2. Update]

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 in the adult population is > 7 %. Despite new therapy options and modern insulins, the therapy remains a challenge. Especially in patients with obesity or high insulin resistance it is often difficult to achieve the necessary target values. In most cases the disease is initially asymptomatic so that the aim is the early recognition and avoidance of complications.

This article provides an update on the approach options of modern therapy forms in diabetes management.

The foundations of every treatment program are lifestyle interventions, including diabetes schooling. When these fail a pharmaceutical therapy must be initiated which among others is oriented to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The HbA1c target value should take patient-specific circumstances into consideration and should be determined together with the patient. If no contraindications or intolerances are present, metformin is the medication of choice. Apart from metformin, the available data which can be used for guidance are limited. A combination therapy with one or two other oral or injectable medications is suitable to keep the side effects as low as possible. The advantages of other substances in individual cases could be a lower risk of hypoglycemia, reduced weight increase, oral administration and compatibility with renal insufficiency. Ultimately, insulin therapy will be necessary for many patients, either as monotherapy or in combination with other substances. Therapy decisions should be made together with the patient, taking personal preferences into consideration and should include age, body weight, comorbidities, occupational situation and compliance.

The Reorganization of the Pharmaceutical Market Act represents a momentarily perceived clear barrier. In the interests of an individualized therapy and personalized disease management, a target-aimed flexibility in diabetes management should be possible in the future.