Diabetes Drugs (Oral Antihyperglycemics & Insulins)

Dirty Medicine・2 minutes read

Diabetes drugs are classified into type 1 and type 2 categories, with different options like insulin and oral agents available. Various drugs have specific mechanisms and classifications, with mnemonics aiding in remembering the drug categories, mechanisms, and adverse effects.

Insights

  • Insulin drugs are divided into various types based on their duration and peak times, such as rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting, each serving distinct purposes in managing diabetes.
  • Mnemonics play a significant role in aiding memory recall for different drug categories, such as insulin types and oral agents for diabetes, helping students and healthcare professionals categorize, remember, and understand the diverse mechanisms and adverse effects of these medications.

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Recent questions

  • What are the different types of insulins?

    Insulins are categorized into rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting types, each with specific peak times and durations.

  • What is metformin used for?

    Metformin is a biguanide used for type 2 diabetes. It works by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis and increasing glucose uptake. However, it can cause lactic acidosis in cases of renal insufficiency.

  • How do sulfonylureas work?

    Sulfonylureas, like glyburide, work by increasing insulin release through the depolarization of potassium channels. However, this mechanism can lead to hypoglycemia and disulfiram reactions.

  • What are DPP-4 inhibitors?

    DPP-4 inhibitors end in "glipton" and potentiate GLP-1 by inhibiting DPP-4, aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.

  • What are the adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors?

    Adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors, which end in "flozen," include glucosuria, UTIs, and yeast infections, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing potential side effects while taking these medications.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Diabetes Drugs: Types, Insulins, and Mnemonics

  • Diabetes drugs can be categorized into type 1 and type 2 drugs, with insulin for type 1 and oral agents for type 2.
  • Insulins are classified into rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting types, each with specific peak times and durations.
  • Rapid-acting insulins include lispro, aspart, and glulisine, peaking at 1-1.5 hours and lasting 3-4 hours.
  • Short-acting insulins, like regular insulin, peak at 2.5 hours and last 4-6 hours.
  • Intermediate-acting insulin, such as NPH, peaks at 8 hours and lasts 10-16 hours.
  • Long-acting insulins, like glargine and detemir, have no peak time and last for 24 hours.
  • Mnemonics aid in remembering insulin categories: rapid insulins do not lag, regular and short, not particularly hasty for intermediate, and god damn 24 hours is a long time for long-acting.
  • Metformin is a biguanide used for type 2 diabetes, inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis and increasing glucose uptake, causing lactic acidosis in renal insufficiency.
  • Sulfonylureas, like glyburide, increase insulin release by depolarizing potassium channels, leading to hypoglycemia and disulfiram reactions.
  • A mnemonic to remember sulfonylureas is "I'd take your sulfonylurea," associating the drugs ending in -ide with this category.

14:29

Drug Categorization and Mechanisms of Action

  • Mnemonics aid in categorizing drugs for memory recall
  • Meglitonides are similar to sulfonylureas in mechanism but bind at a different site
  • Both drug categories end in "ide" and can cause hypoglycemia
  • DPP-4 inhibitors end in "glipton" and potentiate GLP-1, inhibiting DPP-4
  • GLP-1 agonists end in "tide" and potentiate GLP-1, promoting insulin release
  • SGLT2 inhibitors end in "flozen" and inhibit sodium glucose co-transporter II
  • Adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors include glucosuria, UTIs, and yeast infections
  • Alpha glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose inhibit intestinal alpha glucosidases
  • Adverse effects of alpha glucosidase inhibitors include GI upset, gas, and bloating
  • Acarbose mnemonic: "a carb" means without carbs, inhibiting glucose absorption

28:41

Diabetes Drugs: Mechanisms and Adverse Effects

  • Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a category of type 2 diabetes drugs, including pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, which bind to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) to increase insulin sensitivity. Adverse effects of TZDs are heart failure and an increased risk of fractures.
  • Amylin analogs, like pramlintide, work alongside insulin to lower glucose levels. These synthetic chemicals mimic the function of amylin, aiding insulin in its role. Adverse effects are primarily hypoglycemia.
  • To effectively remember these drugs, associate TZDs with "glitter" in their names, linking it to a party to recall the PPAR gamma mechanism. For amylin analogs, recognize their similarity to insulin in function due to their shared "lin" ending in their names. Understanding the drug classes, mechanisms, and adverse effects is crucial for test success and real-life application.
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