Diabetes Medications and Insulin Therapy

Flashcards covering the different types of non-insulin antidiabetic medications, insulin therapy, and important considerations for diabetes management.

Biguanides

Medication class including Metformin that decreases hepatic glucose production and increases insulin sensitivity.

Metformin Side Effects

Gastrointestinal disturbances, risk of lactic acidosis. decrease B12 absorption

Metformin Contraindications

Severe renal impairment, hepatic dysfunction, or conditions predisposing to hypoxia.

Sulfonylureas

Medication class including Glyburide, Glimepiride, and Glipizide that stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells.

Sulfonylureas Side Effects

Hypoglycemia and weight gain.

Sulfonylureas Contraindications

Type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hepatic or renal impairment.

Meglitinides

Medication class including Repaglinide and Nateglinide that stimulate rapid, short-duration insulin secretion.

Meglitinides Side Effects

Hypoglycemia and weight gain.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

Medication class including Pioglitazone and Rosiglitazone that enhance insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, muscle, and liver.

TZDs ( pioglitazone) Side Effects

Weight gain, edema, risk of heart failure exacerbation.

TZDs Contraindications

Heart failure (NYHA Class III/IV), active liver disease.

DPP-4 Inhibitors

Medication class including Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin, and Linagliptin that inhibit the DPP-4 enzyme, increasing incretin levels.

DPP-4 Inhibitors (sitagliptin) Side Effects

Nasopharyngitis, headache, potential risk of pancreatitis.

DPP-4 Inhibitors Contraindications

History of pancreatitis, hypersensitivity to the drug.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Medication class including Exenatide, Liraglutide, and Dulaglutide that mimic incretin hormones, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Side Effects

Gastrointestinal symptoms and risk of pancreatitis.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Contraindications

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors

Medication class including Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Empagliflozin that inhibit sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 in the proximal renal tubules, reducing glucose reabsorption.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors Side Effects

Genitourinary infections, dehydration, risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors Contraindications

Severe renal impairment and volume depletion.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors

Medication class including Acarbose and Miglitol that delay carbohydrate absorption in the intestine.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors Side Effects

Flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors Contraindications

Inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal obstruction.

Insulin Types

Rapid-Acting, Short-Acting, Intermediate-Acting, and Long-Acting.

Medications with High Hypoglycemia Risk

Insulin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides.

Medications Causing Weight Gain

Insulin, sulfonylureas and TZDs.

Weight Neutral or Weight Loss Medications:

Metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists.