Drug therapy for diabetes.

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.