Diabetes drugs

Question 1

Adverse effects of glitazones? (3)

Answer 1

Weight gain
Fluid retention
Increased fracture risk

Question 2

Mechanism of action of sulphonylureas e.g. gliclazide?

Answer 2

Insulin secretagogues

Question 3

Mechanism of action of glitazones

Answer 3

Increase insulin sensitivity

Question 4

Mechanism of exenatide

Answer 4

Incretin (GLP-1) analogue

Question 5

Mechanism of sitagliptin?

Answer 5

DPP4 inhibitor

Question 6

Adverse effects of sulphonylureas (2)

Answer 6

Weight gain

Hypoglycaemia

Question 7

Mechanism of action of metformin (2)

Answer 7

Prevent liver gluconeogenesis, increases uptake and utilization of glucose in skeletal muscle

Question 8

Side effects of metformin (2)

Answer 8

GI disturbance
Lactic acidosis (rarely)

Question 9

How is exenatide given?

Answer 9

Subcut injection within 60mins before a meal

Question 10

What is the other major benefit of exentaide/liraglutide?

Answer 10

Weight loss

Question 11

Which anti-diabetic drugs cause weight gain? (3)

Answer 11

Sulfonylureas
Pioglitazone
Insulin

Question 12

Broadly how do DPP-4 inhibitors (gliptins) and GLP-1 agonists (-tides) work?

Answer 12

Increase the action of incretin; inhibits glucagon secretion

Question 13

How does pioglitazone work?

Answer 13

Activates PPAR-gama receptor in fat cells to promote adipogenesis and fatty acid uptake