Pharmacotherapeutic considerations and treatment patterns of antihyperglycemic agents for diabetic nephropathy: a review of the literature

A.A. Jairoun, C.C. Ping, B. Ibrahim

Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Pinan, Malaysia. aajairoun@student.usm.my

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• Diabetes

Diabetes can have several macrovascular and microvascular complications in addition to diabetic nephropathy, also referred to as diabetic kidney disease (DKD). DKD is found to occur in approximately 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes and 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes. However, research on the effects of antihyperglycemic agents on the renal outcomes of these patients is still in its infancy. The current review explores glycemic management in patients with DKD, focusing on the challenges faced as well as the clinical considerations of antihyperglycemic agents in this population. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. This review was completed by the end of March 2023, and the following keywords were used for the search: diabetic nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, safety, efficacy, and antihyperglycemic therapies. The several concerns about the use of antihyperglycemic agents in treating diabetes in patients with DKD highlight the need for substantial efforts in educating both patients and healthcare practitioners in this regard. In addition, it is suggested that patients receive individualized treatments, considering the potential long-term benefits of each agent; this would entail prospectively modifying doses in line with the stage of DKD to prevent the progression of renal damage. As some classes of agents offer better renoprotective effects for patients with DKD, it would be wise for nephrologists and endocrinologists to collaborate to offer an antihyperglycemic regime for patients with DKD who are at a high risk of further progression. Further study is needed on the beneficial renal effects of specific classes of agents; more knowledge of their mechanisms and renoprotective effects may contribute to the development of novel treatments for patients with DKD.

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