Treatment Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes

Combination Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes

Since many of the available classes of antidiabetic agents have complementary mechanisms of action, they can logically be used together, and such combinations have dem-onstrated an additive clinical benefit toward normalizing glycemic control. Many of these combinations have received FDA approval, and additional indications are being sought for others, especially those that have been shown to have clinical efficacy. These combinations include sulfonylurea and metformin, sulfonylurea and troglitazone, sulfonylurea and insulin, metformin and repaglinide, metformin and insulin, and acarbose and other modalities. One important result of the UKPDS was that multiple oral medications, also in combination with insulin injections in many cases, were required for intensive treatment so that accepted goals of HbA1c of approximately 7% could be achieved.

An example of complementary modes of action that show an additive effect for better glycemic control is the combination of a thiazolidinedione and a sulfonylurea. Clinical trials showed that glycemic control was improved by the combination of troglitazone with glyburide compared with glyburide monotherapy at 1 year. In a dose-dependent manner, HbA1c levels decreased 1.6% to 2.7% with 200 to 600 mg of troglitazone per day. At the 600-mg dose, 41% of patients reached HbA1c levels of less than 7% and 60% of patients reached HbA1c levels of less than 8%.[24]

One particularly interesting therapeutic combination that has re-ceived increasing attention is that of a thiazolidinedione and metformin. These are two equally effective treatments with different and complementary modes of action: troglitazone primarily increases peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal, and metformin lowers hepatic glucose production. In a small study, troglitazone and metformin combination therapy provided further improvement in glycemic control and was safe and well tolerated.[25] Based on efficacy demonstrated in pivotal clinical trials, the FDA has also recently granted approval for the clinical use of metformin in combination with either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone. This is a rational approach toward control of type 2 diabetes, since both medications enhance patients' insulin sensitivity. In addition, they both work independently of the pancreas so there is no risk of hypoglycemia, even when patients with well-controlled glucose levels are taking both of these medications.

Previous PageSection 9 of 12Drug Benefit Trends 11(11sb):11-34, 1999. © 1999 Cliggott Publishing, Division of SCP Communications
This is a part of article Treatment Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes Taken from "Buy Avandia Rosiglitazone" Information Blog

Inhaled Insulin: Overcoming Barriers to Insulin Therapy?

Long-term Efficacy

Although there are no long-term studies on Exubera®, at least three open label extension studies and one meta-analysis of these studies have been published as abstracts.[30-33] Data from these studies suggest that the efficacy of inhaled insulin is maintained up to four years. In an open label extension study, patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on oral therapies were offered continued inhaled insulin therapy (Exubera®) after completion of the initial three-month trial. At the end of four years, the reduction in HbA1C was slightly lower than at baseline (8.23% vs. 8.71%).[30] In another two-year extension of a six-month efficacy study involving 304 type 2 diabetes patients, inhaled insulin (Exubera®) was compared with oral therapies. Patients treated with inhaled insulin had greater reductions in HbA1C (7.7% vs. 8.1%) that were maintained up to two years[31] ( table 2 ).   Printer- Friendly Email This

Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis.  2006;6(3):103-108.  ©2006 Sherborne Gibbs Ltd.
This is a part of article Inhaled Insulin: Overcoming Barriers to Insulin Therapy? Taken from "Buy Avandia Rosiglitazone" Information Blog

Pharmacotherapy of Depression in Older Adults

Subtypes of Depression

Major Depression With Psychotic Features

The recommended treatment for this condition is a combination of antidepressants and either antipsychotic medication or ECT. As for treatment of nonpsychotic depressed patients, SSRIs and venlafaxine are the first-line agents, and tricyclics are a high second-line alternative. The preferred antipsychotics are the atypical agents: risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. Like antidepressants, the antipsychotics should be used conservatively, starting with low doses and titrating the doses very slowly upwards. There is little information on maintenance treatment of this combination, and the impression (from the adult population's perspective) is that the antipsychotics should be tapered off first (after a year of remission) and slowly.[5]

For severely depressed patients who have received and responded to ECT, the following are suggested as maintenance treatment:[16]For nonpsychotic depression, but no previous adequate antidepressant trial, use SSRIs or venlafaxine.

For nonpsychotic depression with failed antidepressant trials, an antidepressant not previously used–preferably broad spectrum (e.g., venlafaxine, mirtazapine, or a TCA)–is recommended. Alternatively, a combination of mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium or lamotrigine) and broad-spectrum antidepressants is likely to be helpful in maintenance.

For psychotic depression, use a combination of antidepressants and antipsychotics.

TCAs are the preferred choice of antidepressants in psychotic depression.Dysthymia and Minor Depression

Depending on the severity, duration, and presence of psychosocial stressors, either psychotherapy, medication, or a combination is used to treat these conditions.[17,18] Pharmacotherapy is likely to benefit patients with good premorbid personality and recent onset, when neurovegetative symptoms are present, and where there is a history of major depression with good recovery or a family history of major depression and response to antidepressants.

As with major depression, SSRIs and venlafaxine are the first-line medications, with bupropion and mirtazapine as second-line agents. The dose range is the same as for major depression, but these patients often need lifelong maintenance treatment. With chronic psychosocial stressors and maladaptive personality traits, the focus should remain on psychosocial interventions.Anxious Depression

Significant concurrent anxiety symptoms are seen in up to two-thirds of older adults with depression.[19] The presence of anxiety signifies a more severe depressive illness and is also associated with increased suicidality in this age group. It also has implications for treatment and outcome since concurrent anxiety often indicates intolerance to medications, poor response, and worse outcome. In older adults with anxious depression, some key strategies19,20 include the following:Start at very low doses and titrate up slowly.

Emphasize psychoeducation, provide reassurance, and do frequent follow-up in the early stages of treatment.

Use SSRIs and venlafaxine as the preferred first-line agents (avoid TCAs, bupropion, and fluoxetine).

Consider small doses of benzodiazepines short-term to alleviate symptoms, using shorter acting agents such as lorazepam or oxazepam. Keep in mind that benzodiazepines can exacerbate confusion and contribute to risk of falls.

Consider low doses of atypical antipsychotics as a temporary adjunct (e.g., quetiapine) to alleviate anxiety and agitation if the symptoms are severe.Depression With Medical Comorbidity and Medication-Induced Depression

In patients where the onset of depression occurs in the context of a medical comorbidity, it is recommended that the comorbid condition be treated first, followed by antidepressants if symptoms persist.[5,21] SSRIs and venlafaxine are the first-line agents in depression with medical comorbidity. For individuals on several medications, consider SSRIs with the least effect on the cytochrome P450 system (e.g., citalopram or sertraline). For specific subgroups of patients, mirtazapine (e.g., for patients with severe weight loss associated with malignancy) or bupropion (e.g., for patients with extreme fatigue) may also be considered first-line agents. Nortriptyline may be useful in the presence of pain syndromes.[22] For individuals with medication-induced depression, replace the offending agent if possible. If this is not possible, treat concurrently with antidepressant agents. Patients with comorbid depression and dementia should be treated with SSRIs and venlafaxine as first-line agents. TCAs should generally be avoided because of their anticholinergic effects.[23]  Printer- Friendly Email This

Geriatrics Aging.  2005;8(8):20-27.  ©2005 1453987 Ontario, Ltd.
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