Chapter 20: Drug Therapy for Diabetes

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to diabetes and its treatments, based on the lecture notes.

Pancreas

An organ behind the stomach that functions as both an exocrine and endocrine gland, producing insulin and glucagon.

Insulin

A hormone that regulates glucose levels in the blood, stimulates lipogenesis, and inhibits lipolysis.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis.

Glycogenolysis

The conversion of glycogen into glucose when needed by the body.

Diabetes Mellitus

A group of progressive diseases characterized by high blood sugar due to insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

A form of diabetes that requires insulin therapy due to lack of insulin production.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The most common form of diabetes, associated with insulin resistance and often manageable through lifestyle changes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

A serious complication of type 1 diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, ketones in the serum, acidosis, and dehydration.

Hyperglycemia

An abnormally high blood glucose level.

Metformin

First-line oral biguanide drug for type 2 diabetes; decreases glucose production and enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin.

Sulfonylureas

Oral antidiabetic drugs that stimulate insulin secretion from pancreas beta cells.

Glinides

Oral drugs that stimulate insulin secretion similar to sulfonylureas but have a shorter duration of action.

Thiazolidinediones (Glitazones)

Drugs that increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin resistance.

SGLT2 Inhibitors

A class of oral drugs that prevent glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased glucose excretion.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose levels, typically below 50 mg/dL.

Amylin Agonist

A drug that mimics the hormone amylin, slowing gastric emptying and reducing glucagon secretion.

Incretin Mimetics

Drugs that mimic incretin hormones to increase insulin secretion and decrease glucagon levels.

Sliding-Scale Insulin Dosing

An insulin administration method where doses are adjusted based on blood glucose levels.

Basal-Bolus Insulin Dosing

A method that administers long-acting insulin continuously with additional short-acting insulin as needed.

Patient Education

Essential information provided to patients regarding disease management, diet, exercise, and drug administration.