Initiating and intensifying therapy in type 2 diabetes: Managing the progressive nature of the disease

TLC, including increased physical activity and changes in diet to promote weight loss and weight maintenance, remain the cornerstone of diabetes care. Algorithms for the management of hyperglycemia in T2DM help to standardize treatment while also allowing for individualized treatment based on patient need and clinical judgment. With the ADA/EASD recommendation to "treat to success," it is likely that early and progressive treatment with multidrug combinations will become more common in the treatment of T2DM. Whether used alone or in combination with other blood glucose-lowering interventions, the availability of the newer GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors provides clinicians and patients with more treatment options and greater flexibility.