Angela M. Thompson

Dulaglutide The Newest GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), dulaglutide, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Data Sources: A PubMed search was completed to identify publications from 1947 to October 2014 using the search terms dulaglutide and LY2189265. References were reviewed to identify additional resources. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles were included if they evaluated the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, or efficacy of dulaglutide. Data Synthesis: Dulaglutide reduces both glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and weight by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon in a glucose-dependent manner, delaying gastric emptying, and promoting satiety. Dulaglutide consists of 2 GLP-1 analogues that have been modified to make it a long-acting, once-weekly agent. Dulaglutide has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, and insulin lispro. It has demonstrated superior A1C reduction compared with placebo, metformin, insulin glargine, sitagliptin, and twice-daily exenatide. It demonstrated noninferiority in A1C reduction to liraglutide. Dulaglutide changed A1C by −0.78% to −1.51%, and it changed weight by −0.35 kg to −3.03 kg. The most common adverse effects in clinical studies were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Conclusions: Dulaglutide is the fifth GLP-1 RA approved for T2D in the United States. It is an attractive option because it is dosed once-weekly, provides A1C lowering similar to liraglutide, weight reduction similar to exenatide, and has an adverse effect profile similar to exenatide and liraglutide.OBJECTIVE To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), dulaglutide, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). DATA SOURCES A PubMed search was completed to identify publications from 1947 to October 2014 using the search terms dulaglutide and LY2189265. References were reviewed to identify additional resources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Articles were included if they evaluated the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, or efficacy of dulaglutide. DATA SYNTHESIS Dulaglutide reduces both glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and weight by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon in a glucose-dependent manner, delaying gastric emptying, and promoting satiety. Dulaglutide consists of 2 GLP-1 analogues that have been modified to make it a long-acting, once-weekly agent. Dulaglutide has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, and insulin lispro. It has demonstrated superior A1C reduction compared with placebo, metformin, insulin glargine, sitagliptin, and twice-daily exenatide. It demonstrated noninferiority in A1C reduction to liraglutide. Dulaglutide changed A1C by -0.78% to -1.51%, and it changed weight by -0.35 kg to -3.03 kg. The most common adverse effects in clinical studies were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS Dulaglutide is the fifth GLP-1 RA approved for T2D in the United States. It is an attractive option because it is dosed once-weekly, provides A1C lowering similar to liraglutide, weight reduction similar to exenatide, and has an adverse effect profile similar to exenatide and liraglutide.

Advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: impact of dulaglutide

The purpose of this review is to provide a review of current data of the most recently approved glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1-receptor agonist, dulaglutide, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. To complete this, a PubMed search was performed to identify manuscripts published from 1947 to July 2015. The search terms “Trulicity”, “dulaglutide”, and “LY2189265” were utilized, and publications were included if they evaluated the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, or patient-reported outcomes of dulaglutide. Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics endogenous GLP-1, the hormone produced in response to food intake. Modifications have been made to the molecule to delay breakdown and allow for once-weekly dosing. Dulaglutide has been studied as monotherapy and in combination with several agents, including metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, and insulin lispro. Dulaglutide has demonstrated superior efficacy compared to placebo, metformin, insulin glargine, sitagliptin, and twice-daily exenatide. It was found to be noninferior to liraglutide. The most common adverse effects in clinical studies were gastrointestinal-related adverse events, and patient satisfaction was high with the use of dulaglutide. Dulaglutide is an appealing option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, based on its once-weekly dosing, A1c lowering comparable to liraglutide, weight reduction comparable to exenatide, and a similar adverse-effect profile to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Integration of Community Pharmacists in Transition of Care (TOC) Services: Current Trends and Pharmacist Perceptions.

Background: Barriers exist for patients transitioning from one health-care setting to another, or to home, and health-care systems are falling short of meeting patient needs during this time. Community pharmacist incorporation poses a solution to the current communication breakdown and high rates of medication errors during transitions of care (TOC). The purpose of this study was to determine community pharmacists’ involvement in and perceptions of TOC services. Methods: Cross-sectional study using electronic surveys nationwide to pharmacists employed by a community pharmacy chain. Results: Of 7236 pharmacists surveyed, 546 (7.5%) responded. Only 33 (6%) pharmacists reported their pharmacy participates in TOC services. Most pharmacists (81.5%) reported receiving discharge medication lists. The most common reported barrier to TOC participation is lack of electronic integration with surrounding hospitals (51.1%). Most pharmacists agreed that (1) it is valuable to receive discharge medication lists (83.3%), (2) receiving discharge medication lists is beneficial for patients’ health (89.1%), (3) discharge medication list receipt improves medication safety (88.8%). Conclusions: Most pharmacists reported receiving discharge medication lists and reported discharge medication lists are beneficial, but less than half purposefully used medication lists. To close TOC gaps, health-care providers must collaborate to overcome barriers for successful TOC services.

Treatment patterns and related clinical consequences in adults with asthma

Abstract Objective: A stepwise therapeutic management is recommended for asthma patients by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Little is known about the recommendations applied in real world settings. This study aims to associate Treatment step with clinical events in patients with mild or severe asthma. Methods: A retrospective claims database analysis included adult patients with mild (GINA step 1) or severe asthma (GINA step 4). Maximum Treatment Step was measured within the first and second 90-day period after index date (the first date of asthma diagnosis during the inclusion period). Step-down was defined as a Treatment Step change from a higher to lower step, while Step-up was defined as a Treatment Step change from a lower to higher step. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of asthma-related clinical events, measured at the third 90-day period. Results and Conclusions: A total of 6,354 mild-asthma patients and 5,695 severe-asthma patients were included. In mild-asthma, when compared with No Change in Treatment Step, Step-down was associated with a lower risk of future clinical events [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (95% CI); 0.69–0.94], while Step-up was not associated with a change in clinical events [OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.77–1.27]. In severe-asthma patients, Step-down was not associated with a change in clinical events [OR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.81–1.10], while Step-up was associated with a higher risk of future clinical events [OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.29–3.33]. Our findings reassure the appropriateness of stepping-down treatment in mild-asthma patients. Clinicians should closely monitor and/or provide detailed asthma action plans for severe-asthma patients who are stepping-up treatment.

Semaglutide: The Newest Once-Weekly GLP-1 RA for Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: To review efficacy and safety of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) semaglutide for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Data Sources: A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE using the term semaglutide was completed through April 2018. A search of clinicaltrials.gov was also conducted. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English-language studies assessing the efficacy and/or safety of semaglutide were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Semaglutide is a newly approved GLP-1 RA for the treatment of T2D. Administered once weekly at a dose of 0.5 or 1 mg, it has been compared with placebo, sitagliptin, insulin glargine, a combination of oral antidiabetic therapies, and 2 GLP-1 RAs, exenatide ER and dulaglutide, and demonstrated greater efficacy compared with these therapies. Published data from studies ranging from 30 to 104 weeks duration demonstrate efficacy with decreases in hemoglobin A1C (A1C) ranging from 1.1% to 2.2%. Studies show reductions in weight from 1.4 to 6.5 kg. Semaglutide demonstrated a reduction in the composite outcome of cardiovascular (CV) death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke compared with placebo in patients at high risk of CV events (hazard ratio = 0.74; P = 0.02). Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as seen with other GLP-1 RAs. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Semaglutide represents an attractive GLP-1 RA considering its A1C and weight reduction. It provides patient convenience and high patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Semaglutide is an appealing option for the treatment of T2D as a once-weekly GLP-1 RA with established glycemic, CV, and weight benefits.

Efficacy and safety of twice- vs once-daily dosing of lisinopril for hypertension

This retrospective cohort study compared administration of lisinopril twice daily and once daily for hypertension. Data were collected from an ambulatory electronic health record between 2011 and 2014. Patients previously receiving lisinopril 20 mg were placed into the once‐daily cohort if changed to 40 mg once daily or into the twice‐daily cohort if changed to 20 mg twice daily. Efficacy outcome measures were change in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and achievement of blood pressure control (<140/90 mm Hg). Of 90 patients included (45 per cohort), the mean age was 61.8 years and 17.8% were black. Once‐ and twice‐daily administrations were associated with blood pressure reductions of 6.2/1.5 mm Hg and 16.5/5.9 mm Hg, with a 10.2/4.3 mm Hg greater reduction with twice‐daily administration (systolic blood pressure, P=.016; diastolic blood pressure, P=.068). Twice‐daily lisinopril dosing was associated with greater systolic blood pressure reductions compared with the same total daily dose administered once daily.

Clinical pharmacy academic career transitions: Viewpoints from the fieldPart 1: Understanding feedback, evaluation, and advancement

The six authors of this commentary series, who have recently transitioned into or within an academic career, discuss challenging aspects of an academic career change. This is a three-part commentary series that explores select challenges: 1) feedback, evaluation and advancement; 2) understanding and balancing of distribution of effort; 3) learning how and when to say yes. Faculty, or those interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy academia, can refer to this commentary series as a reference. Schools of pharmacy may utilize this as a tool for new faculty members during orientation in order to ensure smooth integration into the academic environment.

Clinical pharmacy academic career transitions: Viewpoints from the field part 3: Learning when and how to say yes

The six authors of this commentary series, who have recently transitioned into or within an academic career, discuss challenging aspects of an academic career change. This is Part 3 of a three-part commentary series that focuses on when and how to say yes to the multitude of opportunities available to pharmacy practice faculty. Part 1 discusses feedback, evaluation, and advancement. Part 2 explains distribution of effort (DOE) and how to marry the different components of teaching, research, and service. While the entire series is intended to be read in continuity, faculty, or those interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy academia, can refer to Part 3 as a reference on how to screen opportunities within academia to maximize professional and personal growth and minimize career burnout. Schools of pharmacy may utilize this as a tool for new faculty members during orientation to help ensure faculty success.

Clinical pharmacy academic career transitions: Viewpoints from the field Part 2: Understanding and balancing the distribution of effort

INTRODUCTION The six authors of this commentary series, who have recently transitioned into or within an academic career, discuss challenging aspects of an academic career change. The authors represent faculty members teaching within a large, state-funded, research-intensive School of Pharmacy located within a large academic health center. The authors have various backgrounds and represent individuals making transitions at various points in their careers (from residency into academia, from a non-academic environment into academia, and from one academic environment to another). COMMENTARY This is Part 2 of a three-part commentary series that focuses on understanding and balancing the distribution of effort. Parts 1 and 3 of this commentary series explore feedback, evaluation and advancement; and learning when and how to say yes, respectively. While the entire series is intended to be read in continuity, faculty, or those interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy academia, can refer to Part 2 as a reference to aid in understanding and balancing the different components and the distribution of effort associated with a position in academic pharmacy, specifically. IMPLICATIONS Schools of Pharmacy may utilize this as a tool for new faculty members during orientation in order to help ensure faculty success.