Lecture 18 - Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes Flashcards
What type of medicine is metformin?
a biguanide
What is metformin?
first line oral glucose lowering agent for type 2 diabetes
How many people is metformin prescribed to?
83.6% of patients in the UK with type 2 diabetes (2013)
What are the advantages of metformin?
it doesn’t cause weight gain or hypoglycaemia
can be used in overweight patients
When was metformin first used?
1953
What is the most important effect of metformin?
to reduce hepatic glucose production
Mechanism of action of metformin?
still unknown
can affect multiple cellular processes and the most widely accepted is linked to inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain-complex 1
How does metformin enter hepatocytes?
through the organic cation transporter 1
What does inhibiton of the complex 1 of the respiratory chain cause?
inhibition of ATP synthesis
increase in AMP
activation of AMPK
phosphorylation and inhibition of CRTC2
inhibition of gluconeogenic gene expression
What is CRTC2?
a transcription factor that normally plays a role in transcription of genes involved in gluconeogenesis so when blocked it leads to decreased synthesis of genes and reduction in glucose production
Side effects of metformin?
GI effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, reduced appetite
vit B12 deficiency
What % of patients on metformin have a reduced appetite?
20%
What % of patients discontinue metformin use from GI side effects?
5%
How does metformin cause B12 deficiency?
it reduces intestinal absorption of vit B12 in up to 30% of patients and lower serum levels in a dose-dependent manner in 5-10% of patients
What symptoms does B12 deficiency cause?
tiredness and tingling in hands and feet
What is a rare side effect of metformin?
lactic acidosis
Brands of metformin?
bolamyn diagment glucient glucophage metabet
What do sulfonylureas do?
stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
How to sulfonylureas work?
they bind to ATP-gated K+ channels, causing channel closure and membrane depolarisation, which causes calcium to enter the cell and stimulate insulin secretion
Daonil?
glibenclamide
Diamicron, Diamicron MR?
gliclazide
Glibenese, Minodiab?
Glipizide
Amaryl?
glimepiride
Tolbutamide?
tolbutamide
Names of sulfonylureas?
glibenclamide, gliclazide, glipizide, glimepiride, tolbutamide
Side effects of sulfonylureas?
Hypoglycaemia, can also cause weight gain
What are meglitinides?
prandial glucose regulators
Mechanism of action of meglitinides?
similar mechanism to sulfonylureas but rapid onset and short duration
When are meglitinides taken?
before meals
Examples of meglitinides?
repaglinide, nateglinide