Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions. Progressive deterioration in glycaemic control and the current limitations of existing therapies such as weight gain and hypoglycaemia led us to welcome the first of a new class of drugs. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a novel mode of therapy independent of insulin secretion or action. By blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidney they lead to an increase in urinary glucose excretion with reduction in plasma glucose levels.

Areas covered: In this article, we will review inhibition of SGLT2 as a novel strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with dapagliflozin. PubMed and MEDLINE were searched for literature published up to July 2012, for efficacy, clinical effectiveness and safety reports of dapagliflozin.

Expert opinion: Improvement in glycaemic control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia, concomitant weight loss and the potential of lowering of blood pressure make SGLT2 inhibition an attractive approach using dapagliflozin therapy. Many SGLT2 inhibitors are undergoing Phase III clinical trials and more are in Phase I and II clinical trials.