Posted Sun, 02/14/2010 - 9:14pm by The Diabetes Expert
In late January 2010 the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s newest medication, Victoza® (liraglutide), which is the first Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unlike Byetta® (exenatide), the only other medication currently available in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and a GLP-1 mimetic, Victoza® is 97% homologous with natural GLP-1 and is produced by recombinant DNA technology.
Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 7:07pm by The Diabetes Expert
Pre-diabetes is a condition of mild glucose elevations but not high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria of type 2 diabetes. The diagnosis of pre-diabetes is defined as a fasting glucose of 100-125 mg/dl or a 2 hour after a 75 gram glucose load glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test of 140-200 mg/dl. Preventing the progression to diabetes is rather straight forward. It is all about diet, weight loss, and exercise.
Posted Sat, 11/14/2009 - 9:17pm by The Diabetes Expert
I was honored to be featured as the Physician Spotlight in the "East Tennessee Medical News" this month since it is also American Diabetes Month. To read the article click here.
Posted Sat, 11/14/2009 - 9:06pm by The Diabetes Expert
Today is World Diabetes Day and a time to reflect upon the current state of diabetes. Significant strides have been made with improved pharmaceuticals to treat diabetes, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes, better access to care for people with diabetes, and improved technologies for self-monitoring of blood glucoses. However, with that being said there are still major hurdles that still need to be cleared including:
Posted Thu, 11/12/2009 - 3:53pm by The Diabetes Expert
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has released their new 2009 Diabetes Treatment Guidelines/Algorithm and I am very excited by the direction they have moved. I am in complete agreement with their stance to limit if not completely avoid the use of sulfonylureas and use more of the newer products that may preserve beta cell function. I also like the treatment guidelines being based on multiple factors including current glucose control/A1c level and whether of not the patient is newly diagnosed.
Posted Sun, 11/08/2009 - 1:02pm by The Diabetes Expert
Byetta® (exenatide) has received a monotherapy indication from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicating it can be used safely and effectively as a single diabetes agent to control blood glucoses. The main stumbling block will still be insurance carrier's willingness to cover Byetta® as monotherapy on their formularies with the safe and effective generic alternative, metformin, still being available for very minimal cost ($4.00-$5.00/month on most plans).
Posted Sun, 09/06/2009 - 8:44pm by The Diabetes Expert
Saxagliptin has recently been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in adjunct to diet and exercise and is now available in pharmacies. Saxagliptin is marketed by the tradename Onglyza™ and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and is being comarketed by AstraZeneca.
Posted Sat, 08/15/2009 - 3:02pm by The Diabetes Expert
Insulin is not the only injectable product available to treat diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) related medications are also available as subcutaneous injections to improve glucemic control and also have a beneficial potential side effect of weight loss.
Posted Tue, 08/04/2009 - 11:02am by The Diabetes Expert
The control of glucose is vitally important for the prevention of diabetes related microvascular complications (retinopathy and nephropathy) and neuropathy. However, studies have now shown that in order to prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia are as or more important than glucose control.
Posted Mon, 08/03/2009 - 7:42pm by The Diabetes Expert
You are the "owner" of your diabetes care team and in order to get the best possible care you need to be proactive. This includes planning ahead for your healthcare visits as you would any important "meeting". Make a list of questions and be sure all of them are answered. Your visit will be much more productive if you anticipate the questions your provider will be asking, such as:
