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Review
. 2017 Oct;41(5):349-356.
doi: 10.4093/dmj.2017.41.5.349.

Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sang Youl Rhee #  1 , Hyun Jin Kim #  2 , Seung Hyun Ko  3 , Kyu Yeon Hur  4 , Nan Hee Kim  5 , Min Kyong Moon  6 , Seok O Park  7 , Byung Wan Lee  8 , Kyung Mook Choi  5 , Jin Hwa Kim  9 ; Committee of Clinical Practice Guideline of Korean Diabetes Association
Affiliations
Review

Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sang Youl Rhee et al. Diabetes Metab J. 2017 Oct.

Abstract

In order to improve the quality of life and to prevent chronic complications related to diabetes mellitus, intensive lifestyle modification and proper medication are needed from the early stage of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). When using the first medication for diabetic patients, the appropriate treatment should be selected considering the clinical characteristics of the patient, efficacy of the drug, side effects, and cost. In general, the use of metformin as the first treatment for oral hypoglycemic monotherapy is recommended because of its excellent blood glucose-lowering effect, relatively low side effects, long-term proven safety, low risk of hypoglycemia, and low weight gain. If metformin is difficult to use as a first-line treatment, other appropriate medications should be selected in view of the clinical situation. If the goal of achieving glycemic control is not achieved by monotherapy, a combination therapy with different mechanisms of action should be initiated promptly.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Hypoglycemic agents; Metformin; Practice guideline.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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