ABSTRACT
Combinations of oral antihyperglycemic agents or oral agents with insulin are more appropriate for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus than for type 1 diabetes. This discussion concentrates on how to match the therapy of type 2 diabetes with the underlying pathophysiologic defects and to rectify specific patterns of hyperglycemia. While currently approved combinations are given most attention, therapeutic combinations that are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are also discussed to the extent that published data about them are available. Although the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) minimal treatment goal (< 7% glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] with patients recommended to achieve 6% if possible without undue risk) is assumed as a therapeutic target, intensive insulin therapy, which in some cases is necessary to achieve this goal, is not discussed.
