Abstract
The treatment options of type 2 diabetes mellitus have markedly broadened in the last decade owing to the introduction of novel drug classes - gliptins, gliflozins and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). The unique feature of gliflozins and GLP-1RA lies in their ability to not only improve glucose control but also decrease body weight and blood pressure along with nephroprotective and cardioprotective properties of some of the drugs from these classes.
Despite having excellent efficacy and safety, the disadvantage of GLP-1RA was the necessity of their injectable application. In many countries, the first oral GLP-1RA semaglutide is being introduced to the market this year.
In this paper, we summarize efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its position and significance in the context of other current antidiabetic treatment options.