Management of the Disease Utilizes the required Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) to support the chosen treatment recommendations.

The American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of diabetes. These guidelines cover diagnosis, lifestyle changes, glucose monitoring, pharmacological treatments, and complications. They emphasize individualized care, patient education, and decision-making between healthcare professionals and patients. The guidelines also promote a comprehensive approach to diabetes management. It addresses not only glycemic control but also blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors. Updates are made regularly to ensure the latest evidence-based practices are accessible to healthcare providers.

Identify two (2) “Evidence A” recommended medication classes for the treatment of this condition and provide an example (drug name) for each.

Evidence A” recommended medication classes

According to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, two medication classes are classified as “Evidence A” for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. These are metformin and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Metformin is a biguanide medication that is considered the first-line therapy for Type 2 diabetes (Baker et al., 2021). It has shown effectiveness in improving glycemic control and its favorable safety profile. On the other hand, SGLT2 inhibitors are a relatively newer class of antidiabetic medications. An example of an SGLT2 inhibitor is empagliflozin.

Describe the mechanism of action for each of the medication classes identified above.

Metformin works through the inhibition of hepatic glucose production. It activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which leads to decreased gluconeogenesis. Metformin also improves peripheral insulin sensitivity. Additionally, it has been shown to reduce intestinal glucose absorption and decrease appetite. These combined effects help lower blood glucose levels and improve glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Empagliflozin blocks the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 in the proximal renal tubules of the kidneys. This prevents the reabsorption of glucose, leading to increased urinary glucose excretion. SGLT2 inhibitors also have an effect on body weight reduction and blood pressure. Empagliflozin provides an additional benefit of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. This reduces mortality in patients with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.