| [ Summary ] |
Oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin are therapeutic drugs for treatment of diabetes mellitus. In addition to sulfonylureas and biguanides, newly-developed oral antidiabetic drugs, such as α-glucosidase inhibitors, an insulin sensitizer and a rapid-acting insulin stimulator have been approved and widely used in Japan. These oral antidiabetic drugs are used in non-insulin-dependent state type 2 diabetic patients, whose glycemic control is unsatisfactory with diet and exercise therapy. It is important to choose each oral antidiabetic drug according to the pathophysiologic condition of the individual patient. In insulin therapy, new insulin, preparations such as cartridge-type and the pen-type syringes have been widely used. In order to achieve good glycemic control, intensified insulin therapy has been accepted, not only for type 1 diabetic patients, but also for type 2 diabetic patients. |