| Abstract: |
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that requires early diagnosis and close monitoring for adequate disease management. This case study is from a journal supplement that presents information about oral and injectable diabetes medications as well as other management techniques that may ultimately improve patient outcomes. This case study illustrates a situation in which an injectable incretin mimetic (exenatide) is used as an adjunct to treatment for a patient whose diabetes is inadequately controlled by oral diabetes agents. The patient is a 54-year-old Caucasian man with newly diagnosed, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. His medical history included hypertension, disk problems, and dyslipidemia. The authors review the mechanism of action, benefits, and adverse event profile of incretin mimetics; they also discuss the potential for incretin mimetics to promote glycemic control and weight loss. The authors stress that education of and communication with patients are both important components of care, particularly when introducing an injectable therapy into their treatment regimen. Patients must be instructed in the proper injection technique, as well as storage of the medication and needle disposal, timing of the doses, and oral drugs that can and cannot be taken concomitantly with exenatide. 2 figures. 3 tables. 15 references. |