According to the latest figures from the CDC, 30.3 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and another 84.3 million adults have ‘prediabetes.’ Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all cases. Are you up-to-date on the new drugs? This month in AJN, Patricia Keresztes and Annette Peacock-Johnson help us find our way through the latest information on the many drugs (other than insulin) used in type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle, of course, is critically important in the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Diet, physical activity, weight control, and whether or not we smoke are all factors in managing the disease.

Keeping track of the many newer antidiabetes drugs.

But drug therapy is central to diabetes control for most people, and there has been an explosion of new drugs for diabetes over the last several years. Do you know which currently available antidiabetic drug (or drug class) . . .

  • is the least expensive?
  • is more likely to cause weight gain?
  • is associated with the greatest risk of hypoglycemia among non-insulin agents?
  • should not be used by people who have (or have had) bladder cancer?
  • is associated with an elevated risk of bone fractures in women?
  • can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraception agents?
  • may lead to urinary tract infections or genital mycotic infections?

A CE article to update your pharmacologic expertise.

Update your knowledge of medications for type 2 diabetes by reading this month’s CE article, “Type 2 Diabetes: A Pharmacologic Update,” in the March issue of AJN.