GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Pharmacist Focus on the Evolving Treatment Landscape

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for approximately 90% to 95% of diabetes cases and is challenging to manage, with contributing pathophysiologic abnormalities ranging from predominant insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to predominant insulin secretory defect with insulin resistance. The leading cause of death in people with T2DM is cardiovascular disease (CVD), and patients with T2DM are at an increased risk of multiple cardiovascular comorbidities, such as heart failure and stroke. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as a class of glucose-lowering medications capable of reducing cardiovascular risk while also helping patients achieve individualized glycemic goals; however, many clinicians remain unaware of both emerging cardiovascular and renal risk reduction data with these agents and recommendations for appropriate use of these agents in clinical practice.