Pharmacologic Approaches to Diabetes Treatment: Oral Medications
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician
Course Overview
Diabetes mellitus remains a major public health problem as a leading cause of death and micro- and macro-vascular morbidity. The management of diabetes continues to evolve as new research, technologies, and treatments enable enhanced patient care. It is vital for health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, to remain up to date with the newest diabetes care guidelines, which include updates to the pharmacologic management of diabetes mellitus. This course will compare available oral diabetes medications, discussing mechanisms of action, dosing, side effects, and contraindications. The suggested placement of these medications within a therapeutic regimen will be discussed in the context of the updated 2023 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of available oral diabetes medications
- Describe the side effects and contraindications of oral diabetes medications
- Identify when to utilize oral diabetes medications within a therapeutic regimen for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Recall patient counseling points related to the use of oral diabetes medications
Faculty
- Introduction
- Oral Antidiabetic Medications
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas
- Thiazolidinediones
- DPP4-Inhibitors
- SGLT-2 Inhibitors
- Other Oral Agents
- Choice of Glucose-Lowering Therapy
- Combination Therapy
- Glycemic Control
- Weight Effects
- Hypoglycemia
- Cardiovascular and Renal Protection
- Cost
- Summary
From April 3, 2026 through April 3, 2029, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".