title: Intensifying treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: adding insulin.
abstract: Treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is typically initiated with a combination of lifestyle modification and oral drugs. This treatment provides sustained glycemic control in some patients, but many others require administration of insulin as their disease progresses and pancreatic β cells are lost. One of the most important points in long-term care for patients with type 2 diabetes is the transition to insulin therapy. Health care professionals must choose the most appropriate insulin preparations for management of patients with type 2 diabetes who cannot achieve treatment goals by using other therapies. These include basal, premixed, and basal-bolus insulin regimens. In addition, there are multiple approaches to initiation of insulin treatment, including addition of basal insulin to oral drugs, switching patients to a premixed insulin formulation, or basal-bolus treatment. The pharmacist can play a key role in the transition to insulin therapy by providing education and assisting in day-to-day management of patients with type 2 diabetes who require insulin for intensification of treatment.
authors: Siouxland Community Health Center, Sioux City, Iowa 51102, USA. kpeters@slandchc.com
authors: Kyle R
authors: KR
authors: Peters
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; 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; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards; D024382:Professional Role
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin