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DPP4  INHIBITORS— not very potent and very expensive! Incretins that we naturally produce blunt glucagon release (which raises blood sugars)  and stimulate insulin release when blood sugars are elevated.  Incretins, released in response to a meal, also slow digestion and promote a feeling of fullness. We have an enzyme...

THIAZOLIDINEDIONES (“glitazones”) (“TZD’s”) Troglitazone (Rezulin) – removed from market in late 90’s due to drug induced hepatitis. Pioglitazone (Actos)-Available strengths= 15, 30 and 45mg (available generically rather inexpensive) Rosiglitazone (Avandia)= available strengths= 2,4,8mg Mechanism of TZD’s: work by increasing insulin sensitivity in fat and muscle tissue. main action occurs...

Another plant is the source of a very common diabetes drug from the French lilac or goat’s rue.  The medicinal value of this plant in lowering blood sugars was discovered in the 1700’s but it wasn’t until 1995 that this drug became available in the United States as Metformin...

DIABETES MELLITUS OVERVIEW Type-2 We all know what Type-2 diabetes looks like.  We all know this is a rapidly growing disease.  Lots of your friends and family have it.  I won’t spend a lot of your precious time discussing the incidence of this very common disease.  One factor stands...

TREATMENT OF EXCESSIVE AMMONIA LEVELS IN HEPATIC INSUFFICIENCY Mechanism: Alcohol’s harmful effects on liver cells not only interfere with the normal functioning of the liver but also impact distant organs, including the brain. Prolonged liver damage resulting from excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of a serious...

Last week we discussed the role of common drugs such as – Librium, Valium, Ativan, Gabapentin and Tegretol for the treatment of alcohol detoxification.  Let’s now take a look of keeping our patients with alcohol use disorder from relapsing. Alcohol Relapse Prevention Agents Naltrexone (ReVia®)       Mechanism: Blocks opioid...

Prevalence of Drinking: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics Who’s’ drinking? According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 4 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime 1 percent reported that they drank in the past year percent reported that they drank in the

Last week we discussed the role of nicotine replacement products.  This week we will focus on the role of prescription drugs indicated for smoking cessation.  Your Thompson Pharmacist can help guide you through the challenges of quitting smoking, with these prescription products. The effect of smoking on drug metabolism:...