Moderndiabetes medicines

The treatment of type 2 diabetes has advanced considerably in recent years. Today, treatment is no longer solely about lowering blood glucose levels.

Depending on the individual situation, protecting the heart and kidneys, body weight and reducing future health risks may also play an important role in choosing an appropriate treatment.

This also changes a central question in diabetes care.

Rather than asking only: “How high is the blood glucose level?” we should also ask: “Which treatment best fits this person’s overall health situation?”

SGLT2 inhibitors: how the kidneys become part of the mechanism

Well-known medicines in this group include:

• Empagliflozin
• Dapagliflozin

SGLT2 inhibitors act in the kidneys.

In simple terms, they allow some glucose to be excreted in the urine rather than returned to the body.

This can lower blood glucose levels.

For certain patient groups, however, their importance extends beyond lowering blood glucose alone.

Keeping the heart and kidneys in view

In appropriately selected patients, certain SGLT2 inhibitors can help reduce the risk of hospitalisation due to heart failure.

They can also slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in certain patient groups.

This illustrates an important shift in modern diabetes care:

Treatment success is not measured solely by how much blood glucose falls. Potential protection of important organs can also play a role in treatment decisions.

GLP-1-based treatments: considering blood glucose and weight together

Well-known medicines in this group include:

• Semaglutide
• Liraglutide
• Dulaglutide

These medicines mimic the action of the body’s own gut hormone GLP-1.

When blood glucose is elevated, they promote insulin secretion, influence gastric emptying and can increase feelings of fullness.

They can therefore improve blood glucose control and support weight loss.

Some of these medicines are given by injection, in some cases once weekly. Semaglutide is also available in tablet form in certain formulations.

More than weight loss

GLP-1-based treatments are often associated with weight reduction. Their medical role, however, extends beyond this.

Certain medicines in this group have demonstrated beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk in selected patient groups.

Potential kidney benefits are also increasingly considered when evaluating individual medicines and specific patient groups.

The decision to use a treatment should therefore not be based solely on its potential effect on body weight.

What side effects may occur?

The most common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly:

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.

These symptoms are especially likely at the start of treatment or after a dose increase.

The dose is therefore generally adjusted gradually to improve tolerability.

Regular medical follow-up and, depending on the individual situation, appropriate monitoring remain important.

SGLT2 or GLP-1 – which is better?

There is no single answer that applies to everyone.

There is no one diabetes medicine that is equally suitable for all people.

Factors that may influence treatment decisions include:

• Blood glucose control
• Body weight
• Kidney function
• Cardiovascular disease and heart failure
• Other medical conditions
• Tolerability
• Individual life circumstances
• Cost and availability

For some patients, combining different medicine groups may also be appropriate.

The decision should always be individualised and made together with the treating doctor.

Modern diabetes care means individualised medicine

The development of modern medicines offers new possibilities for treating type 2 diabetes.

At the same time, treatment decisions are becoming more individualised.

The aim is not to select the “newest” or best-known medicine.

The key question is:

Which treatment offers this person the greatest medical benefit at an acceptable level of risk, taking their overall health situation into account?

A visual summary of the article

Created by Reemora Medical

DIABETES

Diabetes and blood glucose.

Medicines are only one part of treatment

Even modern medicines do not replace the foundations of good diabetes care.

These include:

• A balanced diet
• Regular physical activity
• Monitoring blood glucose
• Monitoring blood pressure
• Monitoring kidney function
• Regular medical check-ups and laboratory tests

Long-term treatment of type 2 diabetes therefore always involves a combination of measures.

The most important message

Do not change or stop your diabetes medication independently.

Especially when heart or kidney disease, acute illness, dehydration, planned surgery or other special circumstances are involved, medication should be discussed with the treating doctor.

Prim. Dr. Shadi Abu Daher Specialist in Internal Medicine and Nephrology

Reemora Medical Insights · World Diabetes Day 2026 · Expert Perspectives

Medical notice

This article provides general medical information and health education. It does not replace an individual medical examination, diagnosis or treatment recommendation.

Medicines should only be started, changed or stopped after consultation with a doctor.

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