Sulfonylurea

David Levy, MD, FRCP Drugs acting on the incretin system (entero-insular axis) (Fig. 6.2) The incretin effect Bayliss and Starling inferred the existence of gut-derived substances affecting carbohydrate metabolism more than a century ago, but the incretin effect was not described until 1969: the observation that for a given achieved level …

From our publisher, Steve Freed, comes this thought-provoking discussion of how better diabetes control can impact cost, quality of life and mortality…

Initial combination therapy of metformin, pioglitazone, and exenatide might be more effective in reducing HbA1c compared to sequential add-on in new-onset diabetic patients… The purpose of this study is to initiate a therapy regimen that will reduce HbA1c, increase insulin secretion, and increase insulin sensitivity. This therapy will also avoid …

David Levy, MD, FRCP Introduction The pharmacological management of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes remains the most contentious area of diabetes management, and although until relatively recently in the USA the only agents to treat blood glucose were insulin and sulphonylureas, this limited repertoire in no way inhibited the controversy, …

The Endocrine Society has released a clinical practice guideline on the pharmacological management of obesity that includes recommendations on strategies for prescribing weight loss drugs… During a recent press conference, Caroline Apovian, MD, of Boston University, the lead author of the new guideline, “This is really the first guideline of …

Hypoglycemia was relatively uncommon in the ORIGIN (Outcome Reduction with an Initial Glargine Intervention) trial… ORIGIN trial investigators have published results of their look at treatment with insulin glargine compared with standard care early in the course of dysglycemia, and its effects on hypoglycemia. A total of 12,537 people with …

Can metformin reduce the risk of cancer for those with type 2 diabetes?… In previous studies, metformin has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer in type 2 diabetes. A recent meta-analysis showed a 34% reduction in the incidence of any cancer and a 33% reduction in cancer mortality; …

In this week’s Homerun Slides, we review the positives and negatives of sulfonylureas, comparing them with some of the newer medications available including incretins… To download these slides in PowerPoint (.ppt) format, use this link: Diabetes Mellitus 101 for Cardiologists, Part 13 Other sets in this series: Diabetes Mellitus 101 for Cardiologists, Part …

About 11,000 patients using both insulin and sulfonylurea were evaluated… Ulrik M. Mogensen, MD, of the department of cardiology at University Hospital Rigshospitalet in Denmark, and colleagues evaluated patients receiving sulfonylurea with insulin and 16,910 patients receiving metformin with insulin to determine the differences in outcomes of treatment combinations. Outcome …

Improved glycemic control can reduce A1c, medical costs and complications… According to a new study, early introduction of insulin could save money, help more patients reach A1c goals and decrease diabetes-related complications and mortality. Currently, insulin therapy for persons with type 2 diabetes is traditionally added to an anti-hyperglycemic regimen …