II. Background
- Lifestyle changes can lower A1C by 1-2%
- Efficacy Example: Weight loss, diet and Exercise
- Pre-intervention: HBA1C is 10%
- Post-intervention: HBA1C might drop to 8-9%
- New Type II Diabetes Mellitus available agents have exploded in number
- Some new novel agents have significant benefit beyond Glucose lowering
- SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Agonists decrease Cardiovascular Risk and Chronic Kidney Disease progression
- SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Agonists may assist with weight loss in Obesity
- Newer agents have some disadvantages compared with older agents (e.g. Metformin, Sulfonylureas, Glitazones)
- Most of these agents are expensive (>$300-400 per month)
- Glucose lowering effect is modest (typically 0.5 to 0.8%)
- Each have unique adverse effects of their own (e.g. Euglycemic Ketoacidosis, UTI, AKI with SLT2 Inhibitors)
- Several agent classes show little benefit (expensive, adverse effects, lack improved longterm outcomes)
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g. Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin, Linagliptin)
- Amylin Analogue (e.g. Symlin)
- Some new novel agents have significant benefit beyond Glucose lowering
-
Insulin is very cost effective (consider early especially if Hemoglobin A1C>9-10%)
- Lowers HBA1C an unlimited amount
- Can be used with Insulin Resistance agents
- Start with Basal insulin (e.g. Insulin Glargine or Lantus)
- Basal insulin can be used with Oral Hypoglycemics
- Includes Sulfonylureas (cautiously)
- Add Bolus Insulin (e.g. InsulinLispro) if Hyperglycemia persists (especially if post-prandial)
- Basal insulin can be used with Oral Hypoglycemics
III. Medications: Types
-
Insulin Resistance Agents
- Biguanides (e.g. Metformin or Glucophage)
- Thiazolidinediones (e.g. Pioglitazone)
- Increases Muscle and fat Insulin sensitivity
- May also independently increase Cardiovascular Risk (especially Rosiglitazone)
- Lowers HBA1C by up to 1 to 1.5%
-
Insulin Secretagogues (early Type II Diabetes)
- Second Generation Sulfonylurea (e.g. Glipizide, Glimepiride)
- Avoid Glyburide due to Hypoglycemia
- Lowers HBA1C by 1.5%
- Meglitinides (e.g. Nateglinide, Repaglinide)
- More expensive alternative to Sulfonylureas
- Lowers HBA1C by 0.5 to 1%
- Second Generation Sulfonylurea (e.g. Glipizide, Glimepiride)
-
Incretin Agents
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g. Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin, Linagliptin)
- Inhibits Incretin degradation resulting in Insulin secretion
- No good longterm benefit evidence
- Risk of Pancreatitis
- Lowers HBA1C by 0.5 to 1%
- GLP-1 Agonists (e.g. Exenatide)
- Incretin Mimetic that binds GLP-1 receptors and stimulates Insulin release
- Decreases Cardiovascular Risk and Chronic Kidney Disease progression
- Facilitates weight loss in Obesity
- Lowers HBA1C by 1 to 1.5%
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g. Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin, Linagliptin)
-
Glucose Absorption Agents
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (e.g. Acarbose)
- Decreases gastrointestinal Carbohydrate absorption
- Lowers HBA1C by 0.5 to 1%
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g. Invokana)
- Decreases renal Glucose reabsorption (allows for greater urinary excretion of Glucose)
- Decreases Cardiovascular Risk and Chronic Kidney Disease progression
- Facilitates weight loss in Obesity
- Lowers HBA1C by 1%
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (e.g. Acarbose)
- Combination agents
- Actoplus Met: Pioglitazone and Metformin
- Duetact: Pioglitazone and Glimepiride
- Janumet: Sitagliptin and Metformin
- Metaglip: Glipizide and Metformin
- Avoid agents with increased risk
- Glucovance contains Glyburide
- Avandamet and Avandaryl contain Rosiglitazone
- Other options
- Bromocriptine (Cycloset or Bromocriptine QR)
- Review Bromocriptine risks before using
- Consider in combination with Metformin (as part of dual or triple therapy)
- May lower Hemoglobin A1C 0.7 to 1.4%
- Joe Weidner, MD (2018) email communication, received 11/10/2018
- Gardner (2013) Endocr Pract 19(1):100-6 +PMID:23337160 [PubMed]
- Chamarthi (2017) Postgrad Med 129(4):446-455 +PMID:28374645 [PubMed]
- Bromocriptine (Cycloset or Bromocriptine QR)
IV. Medications: By A1C Lowering
- Most effective agents (1% or greater A1C lowering)
- Metformin (1.5%)
- GLP1 Agonists (1.5%)
- Sulfonylureas (1.5%)
- Thiazolidinediones (1%)
- Insulin (umlimited lowering of A1C)
- Less effective agents (<1% A1C lowering)
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (0.8%)
- Meglitinides (0.7%)
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (0.6%)
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (0.6%)
- Colesevelam (0.4%)
- References
- Simha (2017) Novel Diabetes Medications Lectures, Mayo 91st Clinical Reviews, Rochester, MN
- Hirst (2013) Diabetologia
V. Medications: Comorbid Condition Benefits
-
Chronic Kidney Disease
- SLGT2 Inhibitors (Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin)
- GLP1 Agonists (Dulaglutide, Semaglutide, Liraglutide)
-
Heart Failure
- SLGT2 Inhibitors (Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Ertugliflozin)
- Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
- SLGT2 Inhibitors (Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin)
- GLP1 Agonists (Dulaglutide, Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Tirzepatide)
VI. Medications: By Body Weight Effect
- Significant Weight Loss
- Modest Weight loss (>2 kg weight loss)
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (primary weight loss is via diuresis)
- Weight neutral
- Weight gain (1-2 kg weight gain)
- Thiazolidinediones (1%)
- Sulfonylureas (1.5%)
- Insulin (1%)
- Meglitinides (0.7%)
- References
- Simha (2017) Novel Diabetes Medications Lectures, Mayo 91st Clinical Reviews, Rochester, MN
VII. Medications: Children with Type II Diabetes
- First-line agents
- Metformin
- Insulin
- Start with Basal insulin
- Consider pre-mixed Insulin (e.g. 70/30) for postprandial Hyperglycemia
- Second-line agents
- Sulfonylureas (risk of Hypoglycemia)
- Acarbose or Colesevelam
- Agents with unknown safety in children
- References
- (2012) Presc Lett 19(7): 40
VIII. Approach: Sample Template for Prescribing Combination Oral Agents
-
General
- Use a combination of agents (consider from onset)
- Treat Insulin Resistance and Insulin shortage
- Lifestyle changes form the base of treatment
- Weight loss with calorie restriction and daily activity
- Carbohydrate Counting and awareness of its impact on Glucose control
- Step 1: Metformin (Glucophage)
- Most effective single agent in all patients
- Previously a Sulfonylurea was considered first-line in lean patients (no longer the case)
- Contraindicated in GFR <30 due to Lactic Acidosis risk
- Exercise caution in GFR <45-60 ml/min or Serum Creatinine >1.5 mg/dl
- However, there is some controversy as to what GFR level should contraindicate Metformin
- Consider starting with a combination agent that includes Metformin
- Step 2: Add second agent to Metformin
- See Step 3 for other agents to consider instead of Sulfonylureas
- Strongly consider SGLT2 Inhibitor or GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for CKD or CV risk or disease (see below)
- Sulfonylurea (e.g. Glipizide, Glimepiride)
- Most cost effective second agent, but mortality or comorbid condition benefit
- Avoid if Hypoglycemia risk
- Meglitinides (e.g. Repaglinide) may be used as alternative (but more expensive)
- Consider for as needed pre-meal dosing in post-prandial Hyperglycemia
- Step 3: Add third agent
- SGLT2 Inhibitors or Flozins (e.g. Invokana)
- Strongly consider for CKD or CV risk/disease (see below)
- Incretin Mimetic or GLP-1 Agonist (e.g. Exenatide or Byetta)
- SQ Injection (with a few oral options) but more effective and significantly facilitates weight loss
- Thiazolidinediones or Glitazones (e.g. Pioglitazone)
- Avoid in Class III or Class IV Heart Failure
- Gliptin or DPP-4 Inhibitor (e.g.Sitagliptin or Januvia)
- Other agents may have greater benefit
- Basal insulin (e.g. Insulin Glargine or Lantus)
- Consider for longer history of Type II Diabetes or if persistent HBA1C >9-10%
- Start at a lower Basal insulin dose if concurrent Sulfonylurea, Meglitinide or GLP-1 Agonist
- SGLT2 Inhibitors or Flozins (e.g. Invokana)
- Step 4: Insulin for refractory Hyperglycemia
- Basal insulin (e.g. Insulin Glargine or Lantus)
- Bolus Insulin or pre-meal Insulin (e.g. Lispro)
- Stop Sulfonylurea or Meglitinide
- Indications to add SGLT2 Inhibitor or GLP-1 Receptor Agonist (Associated with lower mortality)
- Established cardiovascular disease or Chronic Kidney Disease (esp. SGLT Inhibitor)
- Four or more Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Li (2021) BMJ 373: n1091 [PubMed]
- Agents with greatest effect based on timing of Hyperglycemia
- Pre-meal Fasting Hyperglycemia
- Sulfonylurea (most of effect is on pre-meal Glucose)
- Insulin Resistance agents
- Postprandial Hyperglycemia (Insulin deficiency)
- Pre-meal Fasting Hyperglycemia
- Agents with greatest effect based on body habitus
- Obese patients (agents that promote weight loss)
- GLP-1 Agonists (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Dulaglutide, Liraglutide)
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (primary weight loss is via diuresis)
- Lean patients (agents that may cause weight gain)
- Sulfonylurea (e.g. Glipizide) or Meglitinide (e.g. Repaglinide)
- Insulin
- Thiazolidinediones
- Weight neutral agents
- Obese patients (agents that promote weight loss)
- Avoid agents with lower efficacy, higher cost, and less tolerability
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (e.g. Acarbose)
- Meglitinides (e.g. Nateglinide, Repaglinide)
IX. Adverse Effects
-
Hypoglycemia
- May account for 14% DM admissions for Hypoglycemia
- Highest risk with Bolus Insulin (e.g. Lispro) and should not be combined with Sulfonylureas
- Higher risk with Sulfonylureas (especially Glyburide) and to a lesser extent Meglitinides (e.g. Prandin)
- Increased risk when combined with ACE Inhibitors (especially Captopril)
- Amylins (Symlin) have been associated with severe Hypoglycemia (FDA black box warning)
- Weight gain
- Gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. Nausea, gas, bloating, Diarrhea)
- Metformin (Glucophage)
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (Acarbose, Miglitol)
- GI effects may be severe, in >50% of patients
- GLP-1 Agonist (Byetta)
- Meglitinides (<10% of patients)
-
Pancreatitis
- GLP-1 Agonist (Byetta)
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g. Januvia)
-
Liver toxicity
- Thiazolidinediones (e.g. Actos)
-
Metabolic Acidosis
-
Metformin (Glucophage)
- Theoretical Lactic Acidosis
- Use with caution in reduced GFR (and avoid following IV contrast)
-
SGLT2 Inhibitors (Flozins, e.g. Invokana)
- Euglycemic Ketoacidosis risk (esp. in impaired Renal Function)
-
Metformin (Glucophage)
-
Edema (avoid in Congestive Heart Failure)
- Thiazolidinediones (e.g. Actos)
- DPP-4 Inhibitors (esp. Saxagliptin and Alogliptin, while other Gliptins do not appear to carry this risk)
-
Fracture risk
- Thiazolidinediones (e.g. Actos)
- Infection risk
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g. Invokana)
- Adverse effects include Vaginitis and Urinary Tract Infection
- SGLT2 Inhibitors (e.g. Invokana)
- Cancer
XI. References
- (2014) Presc Lett 21(4): 19
- (2012) Diabetes Care 35(suppl 1): s11-63
- George (2015) Am Fam Physician 92(1): 27-34 [PubMed]
- Luna (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(9):1747-56ces [PubMed]
- Steinberg (2019) Am Fam Physician 99(4): 237-43 [PubMed]
- Yki-Jarvinen (2001) 24:758-67 [PubMed]
- Vaughan (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(4): 333-42 [PubMed]