| Abstract: |
This book presents an overview of the medications used to treat patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and provides an individual summary of each class of drug and its role in the treatment of diabetes. Chapter one discusses the use of insulin for type 1 diabetes. Topics include insulin sources; insulin pharmacology; insulin storage, mixing, and administration; insulin dosing regimens; insulin use in diabetic ketoacidosis, parenteral nutrition, and pump therapy and among pregnant women, infants, and children; and the role of glucagon in type 1 diabetes. Chapter two reviews the use of insulins, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, biguanides, and alpha glucosidase inhibitors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These classes of medications are discussed in terms of mechanisms of action, efficacy of monotherapy and combination therapy, effects on lipid profiles, common side effects, contraindications for use, and patient adherence to the regimens. Chapters three through seven discuss sulfonylureas, alpha glucosidase inhibitors, glitazones, meglitinide products, and biguanides in terms of pharmacology, indications for use, dosing considerations, special populations, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical effects. Chapter eight focuses on insulin use in type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Topics include indications for use, rationale and strategies for oral agent insulin therapy, insulin monotherapy in type 2 diabetes, and intensive insulin therapy. Chapters nine and 10 examine the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia in patients who have diabetes, focusing on the goals of treatment, nonpharmacological interventions, and pharmacological treatments. The final chapter describes some medications currently being studied that will possibly be approved to treat diabetes or its complications. 6 figures. 31 tables. Numerous references. |