Resources

A VA Pharmacist received an order for 40 units of U-500 insulin and questioned its validity. The actual dose desired by the physician was 200 units. The physician indicated the 40 units reflected the mark on a U 100 syringe to which the patient was to draw back the plunger.  This was found to be a common practice so the VA developed a system requirement which required physicians to indicate the total units/mls (Example: 200 units/.4ml) for U 500. Insulin must be in the chart and syringes calibrated in mls must be used.

Insulin resistance in adults with and without obesity, in current and former marijuana users.  

I had the pleasure of working with an elderly gentleman who was living alone. When he switched from insulin pens to a vial and syringe due to his insurance, his numbers started to increase into the 400’s and 500’s. He was feeling weak and lethargic but fortunately was able to pull …

How often have you heard things about physical activity and exercise training that you thought sounded correct, but found out later they were totally wrong? If you hang out at a gym or even talk with training coaches, you’ll hear about everything, including contradictory statements about how to be active the right way. Should you work out in a “fat burning” range? Is weight training going to make you bulk up? Will your muscles turn to fat if you stop working out? Do you need to eat a lot more protein to get bigger muscles? Confused? Here is the truth about some of the more common myths you’ll hear about being active.

A physician asked me to see his patient, a middle-aged woman who was using an insulin pen.  She had extensive bruising at her injection sites, with no simple explanation.  She was not taking any medications associated with increased bleeding, and did not bruise easily otherwise. The physician wondered if there was something else about her injection technique that produced the bruising.

TrialNet research reveals the benefits of Teplizumab in delaying clinical type 1 diabetes in people at high risk.

RISE study data on improvements of beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes found response to treatment differs in adults vs youth.

I am a retail pharmacist working in a busy chain pharmacy.  A patient came in and requested a temporary supply of his Crestor 40 mg tablets because he had run out of tablets before he was eligible for a refill through insurance.  I checked his profile and noticed that it had been 1 1/2 months since his last 90 day refill so I asked why he had run out.  He said that his doctor had told him to double up and take 80 mg daily.  This didn't sound correct, but it was after office hours and the patient was adamant that these were his doctor's instructions and that he would have to stop his medication if I didn't dispense to him. 

An updated consensus report from the American Diabetes Association has pushed focus towards nutrition therapy as a viable alternative to classic pharmacotherapy.

Why patients with type 1 diabetes are more likely to spend time in hypoglycemia.