Outdoor & Indoor Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Outdoor & Indoor Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Outdoor & Indoor Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Monotherapy:
• Start with Metformin
• Titrate the dose from 500 mg to 2000 mg/day
[Glycomet SR/ Gluconorm SR - Available in dosages of
500 mg, 850 mg and 1000 mg]
• Administration: After meals
• Remember: Vitamin B12 levels fall during Metformin
therapy – level should be measured – safe is to give a B12
supplementation once/ twice a week [Nurokind OD]
• Metformin should not be used in:
1. Any form of acidosis
2. Liver disease
3. Moderate renal insufficiency [GFR <45 ml/min]
4. CCF.
• In patients in whom Metformin is not tolerated, start with
any of the following glucose lowering drugs [GLD]:
1. DPP4 inhibitor: Sitagliptin [Januvia], Linagliptin
[Trajenta]
2. Sulfonylurea: Glimepiride [Amaryl/ Zoryl], Gliclazide*
[Glizid 40/ Diamicron-MR 30/ Diamicron XR 60]
3. Alpha glucosidase inhibitor: Voglibose [Volix].
Points to remember about the above GLDs:
• DPP4 inhibitors do not cause hypoglycemia and are very
well-tolerated but they should be rather avoided in presence
of pancreatic disease [History of acute pancreatitis or heavy
alcohol users], has to be taken after meals.
• Sulfonylureas increase insulin levels acutely and thus they
should be initiated at the lowest possible dosages and
should be taken just before a meal; should be rather
avoided in elderly individuals/ those living alone. They
reduce both fasting & postprandial glucose level. They are
metabolized in liver and excreted through kidneys – thus
should be avoided in presence of liver or renal disorders.
• Alpha glucosidase inhibitors reduce postprandial
hyperglycemia but may cause GI side effects [Ex:
Flatulence, Abdominal distension, Loose stools], should be
taken just before a meal.
*Gliclazide is now preferred over other SUs because it has a
very low risk of hypoglycemia, more selective pancreatic
receptor stimulation, superior CV benefits than other SUs and no
need of dose adjustment in case of impaired renal function.
Dual therapy:
When baseline HbA1c level is 1-2% above the target HbA1c:
Consider using the following combinations:
1. Metformin + Sulfonylurea [Glycomet-GP/ Gluconorm-G/
Amaryl-M/ Zoryl-M/ Glimy-M]
2. Metformin + DPP4 inhibitor [Janumet/ Trajenta-Duo]
3. Metformin + Alpha glucosidase inhibitor [Volix-M]
4. Metformin + SGLT2 inhibitor [Jardiance-Met].
Triple therapy:
A third GLD should be added when a combination therapy
including Metformin fails to reach target HbA1c/ a triple oral
GLD/ Trio-combination may be tried before adding Insulin to
the regimen:
1. Metformin + Sulfonylurea + Alpha glucosidase inhibitor
[Volix-Trio/ Amaryl-MV/ Zoryl-MV/ Glimy-MV]
2. Metformin + Sulfonylurea + Pioglitazone [Glimy-MP/
Pioz-MF-G/ Glizid Total P]
3. Metformin + Sulfonylurea + DPP4 inhibitor [Janumet + SU
or Trajenta-Duo + SU].
Associated conditions:
Hypertension
• Target SBP/DBP in a patient with DM+HTN: 140/80
• Start with ARB → Then add CCB → Add Thiazide with
caution in case of severely uncontrolled BP
• Start the patient on an ARB [preferably Telmisartan] even
in the absence of HTN if the patient has persistent
microalbuminuria/ urinary ACR >30.
Dyslipidemia
• All people with T2DM and without established CVD who
are ≥40 years old and have LDL cholesterol >100 mg/dL,
should start treatment with a statin
• All people with T2DM and established CVD should start
treatment with high intensity statin [highest recommended
dose of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin], or the statin should be
selected and up-titrated to reach an LDL cholesterol target
<70 mg/dL
• Longest acting statin: Rosuvastatin [half-life: 19 hr]
• It is important to note that Fenofibrate [Triglyceride
reducing agent] reduce the progression of retinopathy in
diabetics.