Pharmacological Foundations: Diabetes Medications

At the completion of this activity, healthcare providers will be able to:

1. ¿Describe the roles of insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin in glucose regulation as they relate to the pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
2. ¿Outline appropriate management steps for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
3. ¿Summarize the onset, peak, duration, indications, and major precautions of each class of insulin preparation (rapid-, short-, intermediate-, long-acting, and premixed).
4. ¿Explain the mechanism, pharmacokinetics, indications, adverse effects, and major contraindications of insulin therapy via each insulin delivery system (syringes, pens, pumps, injections).
5. ¿Describe the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, major adverse effects, and clinical uses of non-insulin injectable agents.
6. ¿Summarize the mechanisms, key properties, adverse effects, and important drug interactions of the major oral antidiabetic drug classes.
7. ¿Apply core principles of diabetes pharmacotherapy to medication selection, dose adjustment, monitoring, sick-day guidance, and safe administration practices, including recognition of high-alert medications and interaction risks.