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This article explores the treatment goals for diabetes, including achieving glycemic control, managing cardiovascular risk factors, and the differences in treatment options. Topics covered include aspirin therapy, metformin, sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
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Mission Possible: Pharmacology made easy- Diabetes in ARRC edition Sara Salman Clinical Advisory Pharmacist Health Hawkes Bay
Treatment goals • Glycaemic target 54-70 • Avoiding hypoglycaemia • CV risk factor management • Smoking cessation • Treatment of hypertension • Treatment of dyslipidaemia • Aspirin therapy • Exercise
Aspirin therapy in DM • Daily aspirin in patients with macrovascular dx is widely accepted (secondary prevention). • A meta-analysis of a large number of secondary prevention found that absolute benefit of aspirin was greatest in over 65yrs with diabetes or diastolic hypertension. • The role of aspirin for primary prevention of CV in patients with diabetes is less certain.
Metformin • Metformin is 1st line for all people with T2DM • Also prescribed to people with pre-diabetes • Evidence may provide CV protection beyond reducing HbA1c • Actions • Decreases glucose formation in liver • Increases peripheral utilisation of glucose
Metformin Adverse Effects • Nausea • Vomiting • Anorexia • Diarrhoea • Malabsorption of vitamin B12 • Rash – infrequent • Lactic acidosis – rare, but often fatal- avoidance in SICK days
Lactic acidosis • Risk factors • renal impairment • old age (reduced renal function) • high doses of metformin (> 2 gram/day) • Discontinue metformin temporarily: • Prior to surgery • Prior and after use of IV contrast media • Illness causing dehydration e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea
Vitamin B12 deficiency • 30% patients • May present without anemia and as a peripheral neuropathy • it is often misdiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy • Progression of central and/or peripheral neuronal damage can be arrested but not reversed with vitamin B12 replacement
Sulfonylurea • Actions • Increasing insulin secretion from functional pancreatic beta-cells • Often added to metformin when HbA1c target not achieved • 3 fully-subsidised in NZ • Glipizide • Gliclazide • Glibenclamide
Sulfonylurea Adverse Effects • Weight gain • Hypoglycaemia • Risk increased by advanced age, renal or hepatic impairment • Nausea, diarrhoea, metallic taste, headache, rash – infrequent • Blood disorders, allergic reaction, photosensitivity, hepatotoxicity - rare
Sulfonylurea advise • Take with food to minimise hypoglycaemia risk • Drinking alcohol (advise for all patients with diabetes) • May mask hypoglycaemia symptoms • Avoid binge drinking • Eat when drinking alcohol • Know how to recognise and treat hypoglycaemia
Pioglitazone (Glitazone) • Actions • ‘Insulin sensitiser’ (like metformin) • Increases body’s ability to transport glucose across cell membrane • Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-ɣ) agonist which regulates genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism • Increases sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin • Decreases hepatic glucose output
Pioglitazone Adverse Effects • Peripheral oedema & fluid retention • Weight gain (worse with insulin combination) • Headache, dizziness • Nausea/vomiting • Arthralgia • Decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit • Fractures – infrequent • Elevated LFTs, hepatocellular injury, heart failure, pulmonary oedema, macular oedema - rare
Pioglitazone • What to watch out for? • Swollen feet or ankles • Breathlessness • Fatigue • Loss of appetite • Dark urine • Refer to prescriber if family or personal history of bladder cancer
Pioglitazone Practice Points • If not effective/ if achieved 5 mmol/mol reduction in HbA1c after 6 months is not achieved • Monitoring liver enzymes • Baseline & every 2 months for 1st year, then periodically • Symptoms of liver toxicity – nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine or jaundice = discontinue tx. • Limited long term safety data • Stop if heart failure diagnosed
Alpha glucosidase inhibitors- Acarbose • Actions • Delays intestinal absorption of CHO by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase enzymes in small intestine • Enzyme which breaks down complex CHO into glucose • Reduced postprandial hyperglycaemia • Little effect on fasting glucose levels
Acarbose adverse effects • Flatulence (75% patients affected) • Diarrhoea (or soft stools) • Abdominal pain and distention • Increased aminotransferase concentrations – infrequent (monitor monthly for 1st 6 months) • Ileus, hepatotoxicity, skin reactions, anaemia – rare NOTE: no risk of hypoglycaemia as monotherapy
Acarbose is avoided in: • Contraindicated in patients with (or risk of) • Partial intestinal obstruction • Inflammatory bowel disease • Major hernia • GI disorders with malabsorption • Avoid use if CrCl<25mL/min • Hypoglycaemia (combination treatment) • Treatment: glucose NOT sucrose e.g. glucose tablets not jellybeans
Acarbose Practice Points • Swallow whole • Take with liquid immediately before a meal or with first mouthfuls of food • GI adverse effects • Dose dependent(200mg tds maximum dose) • Increased by taking sucrose • Reduced by starting on low dose and slow titration(e.g. 50mg tds after 4-8 weeks 100mg tds) • Improves as treatment continues • Unlikely to be alleviated by antacids
Summary • Selection based on individual patient, treatment goals and risks.
Gliptins- DDP4 (Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors) • Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors (DPP-4i) increase endogenous incretin levels by blocking the action of DPP-4 • Once-a-day oral agents with no risk of hypoglycemia • Weight-neutral, when used as monotherapy, and therefore may be attractive agents to use in older adults. • Since they are relatively weak agents and usually lower A1C levels by only 0.6 percent, DPP-4 inhibitors should only be used as monotherapy when the A1C level is relatively close to the goal level.
Flozins- SGLT2 inhibitors • Sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. • SGLT-2i reduce renal glucose reabsorption