April 13, 2021 : Issue #1123

DISASTERS AVERTED — Near Miss Case Studies

Accidents Happen, Damage Can Be Minimized

TOP STORIES — Diabetes News and Research

Can Bacteria be Beneficial in Diabetes Treatment?

The Effect C3a Will Have on Future Drug Development

DPP-4 Inhibitors in Combination with Lipid-Lowering Agents and Risk of Serious Muscular Injury

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES OF THE MONTH

#1 Morning or Afternoon Exercise: Which Time of Day Provides the Most Benefits?

#2 Metformin: A Potential Anti-Cancer Agent

#3 Using NRTIs to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

In this week’s Diabetes Disaster Averted, we look at a problem that happens all too often. A patient tries to be discreet about dosing their insulin and ends up with a broken bottle.

For far too long our patients have tried to hide the use of a syringe to dose insulin, and would end up trying to inject in some less than pristine places. That is why we try to get all of our patients to use insulin pens. Although the labeling on the pen says to uncover and wipe the site of injection with alcohol and let it dry before dosing, many patients have found a much simpler method. They just inject through their clothes. There are other advantages to using a pen as well. They don’t break when you drop them on the floor, and no one thinks you are a drug addict because you have a needle and syringe.

The price of pens has come down significantly over the past 3 years, and even if you are using the older Human Insulins you can buy a box of 5 pens at Walmart for $42. The cost per ml vs. the vial is only about 15% more. The rapid acting Logs are available in generic (same package, same manufacturer as the brand) for as little as $83 a box of 5 from either CVS or Walgreens.

Costs are even less with insurance or Medicare.

When you think of a dropped vial and the hassle of replacing it, the best solution is to have your patients use pens.

(Prices quoted can be found at GoodRX.com)

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We can make a difference!

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Dave Joffe

Editor-in-chief

 Over the years, I have had many patients come into the pharmacy requesting a replacement bottle of insulin because they’ve accidentally dropped a bottle. Recently, a patient shared one such experience….

According to a new study, patients with diabetes may benefit from adding foods that contain a particular gut bacteria to their diets.

Researchers studying the effects of protein adispsin in type 2 diabetes find it activates a beta-cell protective peptide called C3a.

Five-year study challenges alleged increase in risk for severe muscular injury when combining DPP-4 inhibitors with lipid-lowering agents.