Diabetic Medications and Insulin Pump Therapies

About the Course:
Diabetes and glycemic medications are in the news every day. Staying ahead of current research and treatment options is an uphill challenge. This course provides the latest in diabetic medications and treatment options, including insulin pump therapies.

Learning objectives: 
After completing this course, the learner will be able to: 

• Describe the normal processing of blood glucose in a healthy person.
• Discuss the altered processing of blood glucose in diabetic patients.
• Recognize the effects of sulfonylureas on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects of sulfonylureas, their adverse reactions, and the currently available sulfonylureas.
• Describe the characteristics of meglitinides, including effects on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, adverse reactions, and the medications available in this class.
• Discuss metformin’s effects on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, and its potential adverse reactions.
• Recognize the characteristics of thiazolidinediones, including effects on blood glucose control, impact on cardiovascular health, and contraindications to the use of this class of medication.
• Explain the effects of amylin analogs on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, adverse reactions, and their dosing.
• Describe the characteristics of alpha glucosidase inhibitors, including effects on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, and the dosing and availability of these agents.
• Discuss the characteristics of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)receptor agonists, including effects on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, adverse reactions, and the use of short-acting vs. long-acting agents.
• Explain the characteristics of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)inhibitors, including effects on blood glucose control, cardiovascular effects, adverse reactions, and the currently availableDPP-4 inhibitors.
• Identify the characteristics of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2(SGLT-2) inhibitors, including effects on blood glucose control, common adverse reactions, and the currently available SGLT-2 inhibitors.
• Discuss the available insulin products, including the difference between basal and prandial insulin, the insulin products currently available, common types of insulin regimens, and the use of insulin pumps.

About the Author:
Katie Blair, Pharm.D., R.Ph. is a community pharmacist, consultant, and freelance writer who specializes in pharmacy education. She has performed freelance work writing and editing practice questions for various pharmacy technician exams, as well as has written and revised continuing education programs for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. She has also written for Natural Standard, summarizing research studies on dietary supplements, and working on the company blog.  Dr. Ingersoll-Blair graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

How to receive credit:

• A minimum test score of 75 percent is needed to obtain a credit.

Activity Type - Knowledge-based

Target Audience - Pharmacists, Pharmacists Technicians

Disclosures:

• Contact hours will be awarded through the expiration date.
• You must score 75% or higher on the final exam and complete the course evaluation to pass this course and have your record of completion submitted through CPE Monitor and to the NABP.
• Through our review process, Colibri Healthcare, LLC ensures that this course content is presented in a balanced, unbiased manner and is free from commercial influence. It is Colibri Healthcare, LLC's policy not to accept commercial support.
• All persons involved in the planning and development of this course have disclosed no relevant financial relationships or other conflicts of interest related to the course content.

Colibri Healthcare, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. (Provider #0607).