Dapagliflozin: a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor in type 2 diabetes.

Dapagliflozin is a promising new drug that targets the so far untapped renal glucose reabsorption. By inhibiting sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) which is mainly localized in the S1 segment of the proximal tubule, Dapagliflozin promotes renal glucose excretion and reduces hyperglycemia in an insulin-independent manner. Dapagliflozin also produces pronounced weight loss which may be an advantage in patients on sulfonylureas and insulin. Dapagliflozin has the potential to be used as monotherapy, as well as in combination with all approved antidiabetic agents.