The GLP-1 receptor agonists: what’s all the (cardiovascular) hype about?

Abstract

Over four million people in South Africa are estimated to have diabetes. People diagnosed with diabetes have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Safety trials conducted on novel hypoglycaemic agents suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists may afford cardiovascular benefits in this at-risk population. Selection of an agent from this class, as add-on  treatment to metformin, should be individualised and based on accessibility, affordability, convenience of the dosing schedule, and tolerability.