Current therapeutic algorithms for type 2 diabetes.

Although type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous disorder, there are certain management goals that are common to all patients. Tight metabolic control reduces the complication rates; therefore, for patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering the hemoglobin A1c toward normal is a major goal, as is the achievement of normal lipids and blood pressure. This article first discusses the standard regimens and agents available and then focuses on the newer approaches to reaching these goals.