Ipragliflozin , a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing non-communicable chronic disease worldwide. One of the newer treatment options is the class of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors that offer improved glycemia through increased urinary glucose excretion. The class has shown to be effective, safe and well-tolerated in newly diagnosed and long-standing diabetes. Additional benefits of the inhibitors include low risk of hypoglycemia and weight loss. AREAS COVERED: This perspective reviews ipragliflozin - a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor - that has gained approval for clinical use in Type 2 diabetes in Japan. The paper discusses pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of the drug. EXPERT OPINION: Due to its efficacy (hemoglobin A1c reduction of ≈1%), safety (low risk of hypoglycemia and very low rate of urinary tract infections), favorable PK interaction with other anti-diabetes medications and mechanism of action that is independent from β-cell function and insulin sensitivity, ipragliflozin can be used as a monotherapy or as an add-on to other agents in any stage of Type 2 diabetes.