TEACHERS’ TOPICS Insulin and Oral Antidiabetic Agents

The current manuscript describes an overview for therapeutic approaches to treat diabetes mellitus. Detailed presentation of the role of insulin in both disease state development and therapy is given. The article also addresses the classification, chemistry, pharmacokinetic properties, dosage forms, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic indications of oral anti-diabetic agents currently available for clinical use. The paper also details the rationale of differences in the onset and duration of action of various insulin preparations. The paper also briefly addresses the phenomena of development of insulin resistance, multi-ingredient dosage form of oral anti-diabetic agents, and approaches to teaching the topic in the classroom.