Oral Therapies

This indepth topic covers the different oral therapies available for the management of high glucose levels.

Depending on your chosen CDEP level, this topic aims to support you:

Describe the effect of common oral antihyperglycaemic agents on blood glucose levels. Describe the effect of common oral antihyperglycaemic agents on blood glucose levels. 1
Demonstrate an understanding of the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes and the need for treatment intensification over time. Demonstrate an understanding of the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes and the need for treatment intensification over time. 2
Describe common side-effects of antihyperglycaemic agents. Describe common side-effects of antihyperglycaemic agents. 3
Recognise the signs of hypoglycaemia and administer the appropriate treatment. Recognise the signs of hypoglycaemia and administer the appropriate treatment. 4
Know when to refer to or seek guidance from a colleague. Know when to refer to or seek guidance from a colleague. 5
Demonstrate knowledge of the range of oral antihyperglycaemic agents currently available and their mode of action. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of oral antihyperglycaemic agents currently available and their mode of action. 6
Demonstrate knowledge of therapeutic doses of the traditional oral agents. Demonstrate knowledge of therapeutic doses of the traditional oral agents. 7
Demonstrate knowledge of therapeutic doses of the newer oral agents. Demonstrate knowledge of therapeutic doses of the newer oral agents. 8
Demonstrate knowledge of the timing of doses of the traditional oral agents. Demonstrate knowledge of the timing of doses of the traditional oral agents. 9
Demonstrate knowledge of the timing of doses of the newer oral agents. Demonstrate knowledge of the timing of doses of the newer oral agents. 10
Administer or supervise the administration of prescribed medication and complete documentation accurately. Administer or supervise the administration of prescribed medication and complete documentation accurately. 11
Assess and convey to the patient the risks and benefits of taking, or not taking, a medicine. Assess and convey to the patient the risks and benefits of taking, or not taking, a medicine. 12
Be aware which oral antihyperglycaemic agents carry a higher risk of hypoglycaemia as well as which oral agents may be safely and effectively combined. Be aware which oral antihyperglycaemic agents carry a higher risk of hypoglycaemia as well as which oral agents may be safely and effectively combined. 13
Assess suitability of drugs depending on current eGFR level and specific contraindications. Assess suitability of drugs depending on current eGFR level and specific contraindications. 14
Demonstrate an understanding of how the efficacy of various agents are most appropriately measured (e.g. through self-monitoring of blood glucose or by HbA1c). Demonstrate an understanding of how the efficacy of various agents are most appropriately measured (e.g. through self-monitoring of blood glucose or by HbA1c). 15