Dr. Kania's Non-Insulin Lectures Flashcards
What are the characteristics of an ideal non-insulin treatment?
- Preserves beta cell function
- Prevents weight gain
- Prevents hypoglycemia
- Improves/not worsens concomitant disease states
What are the two antidiabetic drug classes that are injectable?
- GLP-1 agonists
- Amylin mimetics
Which 2 drugs/drug classes decrease hepatic glucose output?
Metformin and thiazolidinediones
What 3 drug classes enhance insulin secretion?
Sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and incretins
What 2 drug classes decrease glucagon secretion?
Incretins and amylin
What 2 drug classes improve appetite control?
Incretins and amylins
What drug class has a risk of lipotoxicity?
Thiazolidinediones
What drug class decreases glucose reabsorption?
SGLT2 inhibitors
Which 2 drugs increase glucose uptake and utilization?
Thiazolidinediones and metformin
What is metformin’s mechanism of action?
- Decreases hepatic glucose production
- Increases intestinal glucose utilization
- Decreases glucose uptake into circulation
- Can increase GLP-1 secretion
- Modest effect on increasing tissue uptake and utilization of glucose by muscle
What are the 2 off-label uses for metformin?
- T1DM patients who are overweight with low ketoacidosis risk
- PCOS (lowers androgens and increases ovulation)
How much does metformin lower A1C by?
1.5-2%
How much can metformin reduce fasting blood glucose?
60-80 mg/dl
Is metformin renally or hepatically secreted?
Renally (excreted unchanged in the urine)
Does metformin have a low or high risk of hypoglycemia?
Low risk, due to no insulin release
Other than low risk of hypoglycemia, describe the other advantages of metformin.
- Decreases triglycerides and LDL by 8-15%
- Weight neutral to possible weight loss (2-3 kg)
- Cheap
- CV protection (increased fibrinolysis)
- Decreases mascrovascular complications and mortality
- Lower stroke risk than insulin and SUs
What is the most common (and arguably the worst) side effect of metformin?
GI effects (diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, flatulence)
What recommendations would you make to reduce the GI effects of metformin?
Take with the largest meal of the day and titrate doses
How big of a concern is lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin?
Not a major issue; weak causal relationship
When is metformin contraindicated?
- Heart failure (especially NYHA class III and IV)
- eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2
What patient groups are at an increased risk of lactic acidosis with metformin?
- Alcoholics
- Post-MI
- Hepatic failure
- Surgery/procedure patients
- COPD exacerbations/end-of-life
- Shock
How long should you hold metformin in patients undergoing a surgery or procedure?
Hold metformin 1-2 days before and then 2 days after (depending on patient status)
What vitamin deficiency is most common with metformin?
Vitamin B12
What is the MAXIMUM clinical dose for metformin (grams/day)?
2 grams per day
What strengths do metformin tablets come in?
500, 850, and 1000 mg
What is an appropriate initial metformin dose?
- 500 mg BID
- 850 mg daily
How would you titrate metformin?
- Weekly or bi-monthly
- Increase by 250-500 mg/day
Why was metformin XL recalled?
Unacceptable levels of NDMA (causes cancer and liver damage)
If a patient has an eGFR ≥60, how often would you recommend monitoring SCr?
Annually
How often would you monitor SCr in a patient taking metformin with an eGFR between 59 and 45?
Every 3-6 months