title: Drug therapy for diabetes.
abstract: Drug therapy with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin are components of diabetes management regimens that also include diet, exercise/activity, monitoring, and education. Major concerns for practitioners using drug therapy are selection of the appropriate therapy for a particular patient, and drug interactions and side effects. Drug therapy is based on knowledge of the medications' pharmacokinetics; glucose goals, as determined by practitioners and patients; common sense; and strong participatory relationships between practitioners and patients and, if indicated, families. When using insulin, practitioners need to consider the differences between insulin therapy for insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes; how to initiate, adjust, and supplement insulin; situations that require variations in insulin therapy; and injection mechanics.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin