Course Summary

Expiration Date: 11/07/2028

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects over 38 million U.S. adults and 589 million worldwide, driving vascular complications and high healthcare costs. The ADA Standards emphasize lifestyle modification, self-management education, and individualized therapy. Metformin remains first-line in specific patients, while GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors are prioritized in patients with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. In a 12-week randomized trial, empagliflozin and sitagliptin improved glycemia when added to metformin, but empagliflozin achieved greater reductions in fasting glucose, A1C, weight, blood pressure, and triglycerides, and increased HDL-C. These results reinforce SGLT-2 inhibitors as preferred agents in patients with cardiometabolic risk.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Pathophysiology Snapshot
    • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM)
    • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
  • Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
    • Foundational Principles
    • Individualized Treatment Selection
    • Treatment Pathways by Clinical Profile
    • For Individuals with High Cardiovascular or Kidney Risk
    • For Individuals Focused on Glycemic and Weight Control (Without ASCVD, HF, or CKD)
    • Injectable Therapies
    • Treatment Summary
  • RX JOURNAL CLUB: Effectiveness of Empagliflozin and Sitagliptin When Added to Metformin Therapy
    • Background
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Future Directions
  • Summary

Authors

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.

Luke Almos, PharmD

Luke Almos will be graduating from the University of Montana’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy in the spring of 2026. He has 3 years of experience in retail pharmacy, with interests in inpatient and ambulatory patient care. He has actively contributed to research and educational materials throughout his undergraduate education. His primary interests are metabolic disorders, anticoagulation management, and providing patient education. Luke’s primary goal is to help implement initiatives and provide education resulting in impactful patient care across all specialties.