251 Pharmacology Study Cards - Antidiabetic Flashcards
Define diabetes.
A complex disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism resulting from the lack of insulin secretion by the β-cells of the pancreas or from defects of the insulin receptors; sometimes referred to as diabetes mellitus. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
A severe metabolic complication of uncontrolled diabetes that, if untreated, may lead to serious hyperglycemic emergencies.
What is gestational diabetes?
Diabetes that develops during pregnancy; it may resolve after pregnancy but may also be a precursor of type 2 diabetes in later life.
What is glucagon?
A hormone produced by the α-cells in the islets of Langerhans; glucagon stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.
What stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver?
Glucagon
What is glucose?
One of the simple sugars that serves as a major source of energy. It is found in foods (e.g., fruits, refined sweets) and also is the final breakdown product of complex carbohydrate metabolism in the body; it is commonly referred to as dextrose.
What are the two main hormones produced by the pancreas?
Insulin and glucagon
Generally, what range is normal for optimal plasma glucose levels?
4 - 6 mmol/L
What are signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Elevated fasting blood glucose (higher than 7 mmol/L) or a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level greater than or equal to 6.5%
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Polyphagia
Glycosuria
Weight loss
Fatigue
Blurred vision
What is diabetes primarily a disorder of?
Carbohydrate metabolism that involves either a deficiency of insulin, a resistance of tissue to insulin, or both.
What is the main result of diabetes?
hyperglycemia
True or false. A patient with Type 2 diabetes can have normal or elevated levels of insulin yet still have high plasma glucose levels.
True. This is because it is the receptors on the target tissues that are reduced or impaired.
What is glycogenolysis?
The breakdown of glycogen into glucose.
What is Hgb A1c?
Hemoglobin molecules to which glucose molecules are bound; also referred to as glycosylated hemoglobin and is most commonly referred to as A1C. Blood levels of HbA1c are used to monitor and diagnose diabetes.
What constitutes hyperglycemia?
A fasting plasma glucose level of 7 mmol/L or higher or a nonfasting plasma glucose level of 11.1 mmol/L or higher.
What is a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
A metabolic complication that occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes, characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperosmolarity, and dehydration without significant ketoacidosis.
What is hypoglycemia?
A plasma glucose level of less than 4 mmol/L with autonomic or neuroglycopenic symptoms that respond to administration of a carbohydrate or the use of glucagon.
What is an impaired fasting glucose level?
A fasting glucose level of at least 6.1 mmol/L but lower than 6.9 mmol/L; it defines a prediabetic state often referred to as prediabetes.
What is insulin?
A naturally occurring hormone secreted by the β-cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood.
What are ketones?
Organic chemical compounds produced through the oxidation of secondary alcohols (e.g., fat molecules), including dietary carbohydrates.
What is metabolic syndrome?
A cluster of risk factors including abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and elevated plasma glucose that places individuals at significant risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
What is polydipsia?
Excessive intake of water; one of the common symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes.
What is polyphagia?
Excessive hunger; one of the common symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes.
What is polyuria?
Increased frequency or volume of urinary output; one of the common symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes.
What is Type I diabetes?
Diabetes caused by an autoimmune disease resulting in β-cell destruction and that makes the individual prone to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis; most commonly develops in children and adolescents.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
A type of diabetes that is most common in adults and is becoming increasingly common in children and adolescents; characterized by hyperglycemia that occurs as a result of predominant insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to a predominant secretory defect with insulin resistance.
What is the most common type of diabetes?
Type 2
What are comorbidities of Type 2 diabetes?
Obesity
Coronary heart disease
Dyslipidemia
Hypertension
Microalbuminemia (protein in the urine)
Increased risk for thrombotic (blood clotting) events
(collectively known as metabolic syndrome)
What is gestational diabetes?
Hyperglycemia that develops during pregnancy
Insulin must be given to prevent birth defects.
Usually subsides after delivery
30% of patients may develop type 2 diabetes within 10 to 15 years.
What are macrovascular complications of both types of diabetes?
(atherosclerotic plaque)
Coronary arteries
Cerebral arteries
Peripheral vessels
What are microvascular complications of both types of diabetes?
Microvascular (capillary damage)
Retinopathy
Neuropathy
Nephropathy
What are the four major classes of insulin?
- rapid-acting
- short acting
- intermediate acting
- long acting/ultra long acting
How often is screening for diabetes recommended?
Screening recommended every 3 years for all patients 40 years of age and older.
What are the features of pre-diabetes?
- HbA1c of 6.0 to 6.4%
- Fasting plasma glucose levels higher than or equal to 6.1 mmol/L but less than 6.9 mmol/L
- Impaired glucose tolerance test (oral glucose challenge)
Are exclusively non-pharmacological interventions an option for Type 1 diabetes?
No, insulin is always required.
List 5 non-pharmacological interventions for Type 2 diabetes.
- Weight loss
- Improved dietary habits
- Smoking cessation
- Reduced alcohol consumption
- Regular physical exercise
What is the glycemic goal of treatment?
- HbA1c of less than 7%
- Fasting blood glucose goal for diabetic patients: 4 to 7 mmol/L
- 2-hour postprandial target of 5 to 10 mmol/L
What is the order of treatment for Type 2 diabetes?
- Lifestyle changes
- Oral drug therapy
- Insulin when the above two can no longer provide glycemic control
What are the main categories of antidiabetic drugs?
- Insulins
- Oral hypoglycemic drugs
- A combination of oral antihypoglycemic and insulin controls glucose levels.
- Some new injectable hypoglycemic drugs may be used in addition to insulin or antidiabetic drugs.
What antidiabetic drug functions as a replacement for an endogenous hormone?
insulin
What does insulin restore a diabetic patient’s ability to do?
- Metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
- Store glucose in the liver
- Convert glycogen to fat stores
List the four major classes of insulin and the identified example of each (red bolded).
- Rapid Acting (insulin lispro)
- Short Acting (regular insulin)
- Intermediate Acting (insulin NPH)
- Long Acting (insulin detemir and glargine)
How is human insulin created?
- Derived using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technologies
- Recombinant insulin produced by bacteria and yeast
What is the onset of action for rapid acting insulin (lispro - Humalog)(aspart - Novorapid)?
It has the most rapid onset of action at 10 - 15 minutes.