Treating type 2 diabetes: Targeting the causative factors.

This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the many pharmacologic treatments for glucose control and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is an integral component of diabetes therapy and should always be included in the management plan. A registered dietitian familiar with diabetes should individualize medical nutrition therapy, preferably. A regular physical activity program is recommended for all patients with diabetes who are capable of participating. When a monotherapy fails, combine drugs with different mechanisms of action to achieve an additive effect. The combination of sulfonylurea and metformin has proven effective in many studies. One showed that initial treatment with glyburide/metformin improved glycemic control better than either glyburide or metformin monotherapy.