Colesevelam for the management of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

At present there are 246 million individuals with diabetes worldwide and this is anticipated to grow to 380 million by 2025. Internationally, the control of glucose and cholesterol to targets is less than optimal in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the chemistry, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of colesevelam hydrochloride, and review its clinical efficacy and toxicity in the management of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Literature search of colesevelam studies and abstracts assessing the benefits in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of colesevelam hydrochloride in the treatment of hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes. The established dual role of cholesterol lowering and glucose lowering needs to be considered when managing patients with type 2 diabetes.