| Topic: | Diabetes (DM) |
| Title: | Guide to Combination Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes. |
| Author: | Codario, R.A. |
| Source: | Patient Care. 37(4): 16-18, 20, 23-24. April 2003. |
| Abstract: | Effective glycemic (blood glucose) control can be achieved in patients with type 2 diabetes with combination therapy. This article is a guide to the use of oral agents and oral-insulin combinations for patients with type 2 diabetes. The author stresses that appropriate treatment depends on employing insulin sensitizers and secretagogues in combination with each other and with insulin. The author notes that monotherapy (a single drug) rarely achieves glycemic control in this population. Readers are advised to tailor therapy to each individual patient, choosing specific agents based on the side effect profile and the benefits on the insulin-resistance syndrome. Agents that are effective in reducing fasting hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) include long-acting and intermediate insulins and their analogs, sulfonylureas, biguanides (metformin) and the thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone). The thiazolidinediones may play an important role in delaying and even preventing the development of type 2 diabetes. Agents that are effective in reducing postprandial (after a meal) hyperglycemia include the short-acting insulins and their analogs, meglitinides (repaglinide), D-phenylalanine derivatives (nateglinide), alpha glucosidase inhibitors (acarbose and miglitol) and to some extent the thiazolidinediones and biguanides. 1 figure. 3 tables. 21 references. |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English. |
| Major Keywords: | Diabetes Mellitus. Type 2 Diabetes. Drug Therapy. Drug Effects. Administration and Dosage. Insulin. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents. |
| Minor Keywords: | Biguanides. Sulfonylurea Compounds. Thiazolidinediones. Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors. Insulin Antagonists. |
| Publication Number: | DMJA11773 |
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