Rx Note

Introduction Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (incretin mimetics) lower blood glucose by increasing insulin secretion , suppressing glucagon secretion and slowing gastric emptying. Also, they reduce food intake (by an effect on satiety) and are associated with modest weight gain. They are used in patients with type 2 diabetes in combination with other drugs (such as metformin, sulfonylurea and insulin). GLP-1 receptor agonists should not be combined with DDP-4 inhibitors as they both belong to the same class of incretins. Method of Administration GLP-1 agonists are mostly administered by subcutaneous injection , either Once daily Exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide Once weekly Extended release exenatide, albiglutide, dulaglutide. Semaglutide is currently the only GLP-1 receptor agonist available in both an injectable and an oral formulation. Adverse Reactions All GLP-1 receptor agonists have been associated with nausea and other gastrointestinal disturbances. Howeve...

Introduction Obesity is a growing epidemic , particularly in developed countries, and is largely related to an unhealthy lifestyle. Obesity is generally defined as excessive body fat mass. The medical rationale for weight loss in people with obesity is that obesity is a disease associated with a significant increase in mortality and many health risks including type 2 diabetes mellitus , hypertension , dyslipidaemia, chronic kidney disease , osteoarthritis and coronary heart disease. Body Mass Index (BMI) Body size is typically defined using body mass index (BMI) . Normal weight 18.5-24.00 kg/m 2 Overweight 25-29.99 kg/m 2 Obese class I 30-34.99 kg/m 2 Obese class II 35-39.99 kg/m 2 Obese class III ≥40 kg/m 2 Use caution when applying BMI to individuals with greater muscle mass, women or the elderly. NOTE: Generally, Asians have a higher body fat percentage compared to Caucasians of the same age, sex and BMI. Even below the BMI cut-off of 25 kg/m 2 , a substantial number of Asians d...