Key points
- Adherence is a critical issue to address with patients who are prescribed metformin.
- Choice of second- and third-line medicines for addition to metformin should be individualised, guided by each patient's clinical considerations and each medicine's characteristics.
- Usual second-line options are sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sulfonylureas and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
- Treatment algorithms reflect the complexity of treatment decisions but offer consistent guidance on a stepped/progressive approach to blood glucose control.
Quality improvement opportunities for patients with diabetes and CVD
The relationship between diabetes and increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established. What opportunities still remain in general practice to identify at risk patients and optimise their management?
Empagliflozin indications extended (2017)
Empagliflozin is now TGA-approved for reducing cardiovascular deaths in patients with type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease.
What is the evidence, and what does this mean in clinical practice?
Metabolic syndrome and diabetes: how much blame does sugar deserve?
An increasing number of journal articles and media stories are highlighting the potential role of dietary sugar, and particularly added fructose, as a major contributor to ill health, from cardiovascular disease to type 2 diabetes to metabolic syndrome.
Find out more about the evidence for the role of sugar in these conditions.
CPD options
Consolidate your knowledge about type 2 diabetes, brush up on current guidelines and practices and earn CPD points through our learning activities.
Webinar:CV risk in patients withtype 2 diabetes andCVD: Getting to the heart of diabetes
Listen to our multidisciplinary panel of experts discuss the prevention of CV events in patients with both type 2 diabetes and CVD. Discussion covers:
- Evidence-based strategies to reduce CV risk for patients with diabetes and CVD
- Advice on how to individualise choice of blood glucose-lowering agents
- The latest Australian blood glucose treatment algorithm for type 2 diabetes
- An update on the latest CV outcome trial data and how this impacts your practice
Listen to the webinar on demand
This program was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited and Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited and managed through VentureWise, a wholly owned commercial subsidiary of NPS MedicineWise. The program has been designed, developed and implemented by NPS MedicineWise with complete independence and editorial control and is based on best practice guidelines.
- Evidence-based strategies to reduce CV risk for patients with diabetes and CVD
- Advice on how to individualise choice of blood glucose-lowering agents
- The latest Australian blood glucose treatment algorithm for type 2 diabetes
- An update on the latest CV outcome trial data and how this impacts your practice
