Diabetes Drugs

Question 1

Biguanide

Mechanism and Example

Answer 1

Metformin

Raises insulin sensitivity

Decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis

• Diorrhoea/Abdo Pain
• Lactic Acidosis

Question 2

Thiazolidinedione

Mechanism and Example

Answer 2

Pioglitazone

Increases insulin sensitivity

Decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis

• Weight Gain
• Fluid Retention
• Anaemia
• HF
• Extended use = risk of bladder cancer

Question 3

Sulfonylurea

Mechanism and Example

Answer 3

Gliclazide

Stimulate Insulin release from pancreas

• Weight Gain
• Hypoglycaemia
• If used as monotherapy = CVD and MI

Question 4

GLP-1 Mimetic

Mechanism and Example

Answer 4

Exanetide (Subcut injection Either twice daily or once weekly)

Liragultide (Subcut twice daily)

Increases insulin secretion
Inhibits glucagon production
Slows GI absorption

• GI tract upset
• Weight Loss (used in overweight patients)
• Dizziness
• Hypoglycaemia (rare)

Question 5

DDP - 4 Inhibitor

Mechanism and Example

Answer 5

Sitagliptin

Inhibits DDP4 which is an inhibitor of GLP-1

• GI Tract Upset
• Symptoms of URTI
• Pancreatitis

Question 6

SGLT 2 Inhibitor

Mechanism and Example

Answer 6

the -flozins

Prevents proximal tubules of kidney from reabsorbing glucose from urine into blood.

• Glycoseuria (Common UTI’s)
• Weight Loss
• DKA
• Lower Limb Amputation (Canagliflozin)

Question 7

Insulin

The Different Types and Examples

Answer 7

Rapid Acting (Work in 10 mins and last 4 hrs)

• Novorapid
• Humalog
• Apidra

Short Acting (work in 30 mins and last 8hrs)

• Actarapid
• Humulin S
• Insuman Rapid

Intermediate Acting (work in 1hr and last 16 hrs)

• Insulatard
• Humulin 1
• Insuman Basal

Long Acting (Work in 1 hr and last about 24 hrs)

• Lantus
• Levemir
• Degludec (Lasts 40 hrs)

Combination Insulins (Contain rapid and intermediate) (Number is percentage of rapid insulin and rest is intermediate)

• Humalog 25
• Humalog 50
• Novomix 30