Diabetes Flashcards
What is the treatment for type 1 diabetes?
- Insulin therapy
What does insulin therapy consist of?
- SC injection but and IV in emergency
- Insulin dose that is given to try lower the glucose levels in the bloodstream
Why is insulin not given orally?
- Insulin is a protein and would get broken down before absorption can even occur.
Describe basal-bolus loading
- Rapid dose that increases insulin just before meal times = bolus. Rapid acting insulin, e.g. aspart
- Basal dose is given to maintain a certain level of insulin at all times in the body. This is usually long acting insulin.
Avoid insulin therapy in patients who are:
- Hypoglycaemic
- Have renal impairment
Contraindications with insulin therapy
- Increase dose of insulin with steroids because they cause hyperglycaemia.
What is the benefit of manufacturing the insulin therapy as a soluble preparation?
- Delays absorption and overcomes short plasma half-life. Soluble insulins form hexamers at site of injection, contributing to delay in absorption.
Name a biguanide and what it is used to treat?
- Metformin
- Treats type 2 diabetes
Mechanism of action of metformin
- Suppresses appetite so limits weight gain by decreasing hepatic glucose output (decrease gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis)
Side effects of metformin
- GI upset
Avoid the use of metformin in
- GFR < 30ml/min as metformin is nephrotoxic
Contraindications of metformin
- ACEi
- NSAIDs
- Diuretics: thiazides cause hyperglycaemia
All of these drugs are nephrotoxic.
What is the first line pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes?
- Metformin (biguanides)
Name a sulfonylurea and describe it’s mechanism of action
- Glicazide
- Blocks K+ATP channels so depolarisation occurs and calcium enters the cell causing insulin to be released.
- Insulin has anabolic effects = weight gain
Side effects of sulfonylureas
- GI upset