Diabetes and hyperlipidemia are global epidemics that significantly increase
the morbidity and mortality of the affected population. Several medications have been
utilized to mitigate the risk of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Insulin, alpha-glucosidase
inhibitors, thiazolidinediones have been used for decades as antidiabetic medications.
Statins are a cornerstone in hyperlipidemia management. Omega‐3 fatty acid
supplementation has been used to treat hypertriglyceridemia with debatable effects on
cardiovascular outcomes.
In the past decade, multiple new discoveries have revolutionized the management of
these disorders. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of oral
anti-diabetic drugs with a unique mechanism of action. SGLT2 was proven to reduce
cardiovascular events, including hospitalization for heart failure, with this benefit
extending to patients without diabetes. PCSK9 inhibitors are a new class of
antihyperlipidemic that significantly lowers plasma LDL-C on top of the conventional
treatment.
In this book chapter, we review the history of diabetes and hyperlipidemia medications
and discuss the new classes of lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic medications and their
associated cardioprotective benefits.
Keywords: Anti-diabetic, Cardioprotective, Cardiovascular, Diabetes mellitus, DPP4, Heart failure, Incretin, Lipid, Lipid lowering, Medications, Outcomes, SGLT.
