| Topic: | Diabetes (DM) |
| Title: | Recent Developments in the Pharmacological Reduction of Blood Glucose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. |
| Author: | White, J.R., Jr.; Campbell, R.K. |
| Source: | Clinical Diabetes. 19(4): 153-159. 2001. |
| Availability: | Available from American Diabetes Association. 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311. (800) 232-3472. Website: www.diabetes.org. |
| Abstract: | The pharmacological management (drug therapy) of patients with type 2 diabetes has changed dramatically in the past few years with the introduction of many new medications, including alpha glucosidase inhibitors, a biguanide, the thiazolidinediones, insulin analogs, meglitinides, and d phenylalanine derivatives. These new agents have dramatically increased the number of options available to providers and patients. Combination therapy has become commonplace for the management of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. This article briefly reviews some of the more recent pharmacological advances in diabetes care. The glyburide and metformin combination and the extended release metformin formulation may be useful for many patients because of their ease of compliance. The introduction of the combination format also brings into focus the importance of treating type 2 diabetes as a dual defect disease. The new insulin secretagogue nateglinide is an oral medication that essentially normalizes first phase insulin response, thus controlling postprandial (after a meal) hyperglycemic (high blood glucose) excursions without causing a high rate of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Finally, two new insulin products, aspart and glargine, offer distinct characteristics that will make them optimal choices in certain situations. Aspart, a rapid acting analog, is useful in controlling postprandial hyperglycemic excursions, whereas glargine offers the first true basal analog. A single injection of glargine provides continuous infusion of insulin into the bloodstream for a 24 hour period. 2 tables. 25 references. |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English. |
| Major Keywords: | Diabetes Mellitus. Type 2 Diabetes. Drug Therapy. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents. Insulin. Administration and Dosage. |
| Minor Keywords: | Research. Drug Effects. Hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia. Blood Glucose. Patient Compliance. Patient Care Management. Insulin Glargine. |
| Publication Number: | DMJA09962 |
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