Implications of Postprandial Hyperglycaemia and Role of Voglibose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease which requires treatment to prevent further complications. The Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative analysis of Diagnostic criteria in Europe (DECODE) study and diabetic intervention study demonstrated that high Postprandial Glucose (PPG) increased the mortality and cardiovascular complications. Voglibose, an ɑ-glucosidase inhibitor, controls PPG level and have cardiovascular benefits. Objective of this article was to review postprandial hyperglycaemia and clinical evidences of voglibose in management of PPG in T2DM patients, its role in prediabetic condition and cardiovascular benefits. Extensive search work was conducted on Google, Google scholar and PubMed from January, 1990 to May, 2017. Studies relevant to pharmacology, efficacy and safety of voglibose were included in the article. Voglibose significantly reduces the PPG level in T2DM patients compared to other antidiabetic drugs. Superior control on PPG contributes to cardioprotective action. Beyond PPG regulation, voglibose has an effective role on prediabetic condition. Weak absorption of voglibose through intestine make it a drug of choice in elderly patients or in hepatic impairment and mild to moderate renal function impairments when other anti-diabetic agents are contraindicated. Clinical studies on voglibose, highlighted its role to control PPG level in T2DM patients and its cardiovascular benefits.