Drugs for Diabetes

Drug Challenge

BY MARY BARNA BRIDGEMAN, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, AND KAVITHA S. DALAL, PharmD

CAN YOU IDENTIFY these drugs indicated for managing diabetes? To find out, match each drug name in Section II with its brand name in Section I.

Section I _____ 1. Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) _____ 2. Fiasp (Novo Nordisk) _____ 3. Admelog (Sanofi-Aventis)

Section II a. insulin lispro injection. A “follow-on” rapid-acting (meal-time) insulin analog, this formulation is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 3 years and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is available in both multidose vials and single-patient-use pens. This insulin lispro formulation is not considered a biosimilar product and is not interchangeable with other insulin lispro preparations; the prescriber should guide patients who are switching between insulin lispro formulations. b. semaglutide. This drug is a new glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated, along with diet and exercise, to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. It is administered subcutaneously via a single-patient-use pen as a once-weekly injection, which can be administered regard- less of food intake and at any time of day. It should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of thy- roid tumors. Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. c. insulin aspart injection. This new “follow-on” rapid- acting (meal-time) human insulin analog is formulated with l-arginine (an amino acid) and niacinamide (a B vitamin), which are intended to promote formula stabili- zation and faster absorption. Available in multidose vials or single-patient-use pens, this product is administered as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. It should be administered within 20 minutes after the start of a meal. As with other rapid-acting insulin analogs, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hypokalemia. Never use an insulin pen for more than one patient. ■

Mary Barna Bridgeman is a clinical associate professor at Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in Piscataway, N.J. Kavitha S. Dalal is a critical care pharmacist at Virtua in Marlton, N.J.

Unless otherwise speciﬁ ed, the information in the preceding summaries applies to adults, not children. Consult the package insert for information about each drug’s safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also consult a pharmacist, the package insert, or a comprehensive drug reference for more details on precautions, drug

interactions, and adverse reactions. 1b, 2c, 3a 2c, 1b,

DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000554625.99508.32 ANSWERS:

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