Diabetes Pharmacist

Common Diabetes Medication May Fight Cancer

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:12:59 -0500

In a recently presented study, researchers have found that the commonly used and inexpensive medication Metformin, inhibited the growth of most tumor cells in a variety of cancers including melanoma, pancreatic, lung, and prostate cancer.

Pancreatic patients who were prescribed Metformin had a 32 percent reduced risk for death compared to those not prescribed the drug, according to a study led by Dr. Dongui Li, professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Another study of melanoma patients, led by researchers at the Institute for Cancer Research in London, found that Metformin alone contributed to the growth of cancerous tumors in mice - but when combined with other inhibitors,axitinib and bevacizumab, tumor growth was suppressed by up to 64 percent.

New Drug Labels Will State That Statins May Raise Blood Sugar Levels and Cause Memory Loss

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:17:36 -0500

Soon, health regulators will add warnings to the labels of all "statin" drugs to indicate that they may raise levels of blood sugar and could cause memory loss. Cholesterol lowering drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor will see changes to the safety information found on their labels.

"The value of statins in preventing heart disease has been clearly established," Amy Egan, deputy director for safety in FDA's Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products, said in a statement. "Their benefit is indisputable, but they need to be taken with care and knowledge of their side effects."

Don't Skip Halloween Because of Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:27:25 -0500

Just because little Jimmy or Judy has Diabetes, doesn't mean that they have to skip Halloween.“They can enjoy Halloween and enjoy some of the sweets the holiday offers — within reason,” says Kenneth McCormick, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist and senior scientist in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center. “We give parents and kids three options and let them decide how they want to handle Halloween and the sweets that come with it.”

Tip 1: Count Carbs- By counting carbs, kids can enjoy some of the treats Halloween has to offer. Moderation, though is key. The child should be monitored as to how many carbs they are eating and should take one unit of insulin for every 15 or 20 grams of carbohydrates. “This is an easy option for kids on an insulin pump because they can just dial in an extra dose of insulin to compensate for what they are about to eat. But for kids that take shots, this could prove to be more difficult or inconvenient if they have to go to the school nurse for an extra dose,” McCormick says.

Tip 2: Exchange candy- “Parents can trade gifts, money, or low carb snack for their child's candy. Parents also can provide a substitute snack for their child if a Halloween party at school is an issue,” McCormick says. “We have been advising parents to do this for many, many years, and it is a solution that continues to work.”

Tip 3: Save for dessert- McCormick says kids can savor their Halloween treats without an extra shot or dose of insulin by having them for dessert after dinner. “By incorporating a sugary treat into meal time, when a child would normally get a dose of insulin, it eliminates the need for adding doses to their regimen.”

FDA Approves First Drug for BOTH Diabetes and High Cholesterol

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:34:03 -0500

New drug Juvisync combines Merck's diabetes pill Januvia with the popular cholesterol drug Zocor. Patients with both diabetes and high cholesterol are at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other chronic conditions

Does Cabin Pressure on Air Flights Affect Insulin Pumps for People with Diabetes?

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:38:05 -0500

I just read that "cabin pressure changes during air flights may affect insulin pumps causing patients to receive too much or too little medication." Does anyone have any experience with this?

The article continues :"Researchers at John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, Australia investigated insulin pumps used by patients with type 1 diabetes to deliver insulin. The study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that when ten insulin pumps were flown on a commercial flight, they were affected by air pressure changes. Air pressure decreases during takeoff caused the pumps to deliver extra insulin, and air pressure increases during descent caused some insulin to be sucked back into the pumps, resulting in an insufficient amount of insulin being dispensed. The air pressure causes bubbles to form and expands existing bubbles, affecting the amount of insulin being given. Researchers advise diabetics to be aware of the effects of pressure changes, and possibly disconnect the pump before takeoff and landing."

I would think and hope that the pump manufacturers have taken flying into account. But, maybe I'm wrong. Can someone who wears an insulin pump and travels by jet frequently give us some insight? Thanks!

Your Pharmacist Can Help You Control Your Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:36:39 -0500

October is American Pharmacist Month and in honor of that, I'd like to remind everyone how important your pharmacist can be; both in the prevention of Diabetes as well as in helping people manage their Diabetes. Pharmacist Services can include:

Nutrition and Diet Counseling
Exercise Instruction
Blood Glucose Monitoring Advice
Medication Therapy Management
Healthy Behavior Management
Guidance in skin care, foot care, dental care, eye care, proper injection technique, etc.

Studies have shown that when a pharmacist is involved in the management and self-care of patients with Diabetes, both test results and patient outcomes improved.

Eat Slower to Avoid Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:35:42 -0500

Being a pharmacist for many years means that I've been "trained" to eat quickly, before a patient walked into the store. Furthermore, a long time pharmacy "myth" is "if you want people to walk into the store, order a hot meal." Other than causing a little indigestion, eating fast hasn't bothered me. But now, a new study suggests that fast eaters have a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

According to the Japanese study, people who eat food quickly are twice as likely to develop impaired glucose tolerance, known as pre-diabetes. In impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), blood glucose levels are higher than usual, but not high enough to cause diabetes. However, without proper treatment, 40 to 50 per cent of people with IGT will develop Type 2 Diabetes within ten years. One theory is that eating quickly increases postprandial blood glucose, the amount of sugar in the blood soon after eating.

Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease are Linked

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:41:56 -0500

A recent study of more than 1,000 men and women over age 60 found that people with diabetes were twice as likely as the other study participants to develop Alzheimer's disease within 15 years. They were also 1.75 times more likely to develop dementia of any kind.

"It's really important for the [public's] health to understand that diabetes is a significant risk factor for all of these types of dementia," says Rachel Whitmer, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in the research division of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, a nonprofit health-care organization based in Oakland, California

Insufficient Sleep Increases Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Teens

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:20:12 -0500

A new study suggests that getting a good night’s sleep may stave off the development of type 2 diabetes in obese adolescents.

“We already know that three out of four high school students report getting insufficient sleep,” said study investigator Dorit Koren, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Our study found to keep glucose levels stable, the optimal amount of sleep for teenagers is 7.5 to 8.5 hours per night.” She added that this is consistent with research in adults showing an association between sleep deprivation and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin Pump Supplies for People with Diabetes are Covered by Insurance

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:31:58 -0500

The staff at Focus Pharmacy speak to people with Diabetes all day. Lately, I hear, they've been getting a lot of "Where have you been all my life?" and "THANK YOU for being there for us" from new customers. And some "We couldn't afford our medications and supplies if it wasn't for you, thanks!" from long time customers. Just wanted to let those who don't know about Focus Pharmacy that:

They stock all brands of insulin pump supplies including Medtronic,Omnipod, & Accu-Check
They accept the insurance payment as payment in full (where allowed)
so you have NO COPAYS To Pay
Insurance claims and billings are handled by them - no paperwork for you.
FREE overnight shipping of all your medications (they are a full service pharmacy too) and supplies.
A live person will always answer your phone calls M-F, 9-5 ET
You can order your refills on-line anytime
A pharmacist is available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
They guarantee 100% satisfaction.
No Membership or Hidden Fees Ever
If your insurance, qualifies, you get a $50 gift card with your first order!

Insulin Pump May Decrease Costs for Some People with Type 2 Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:24:33 -0500

According to a recent study of people with Type 2 Diabetes, among high insulin users (using more than 150 units daily) insulin pump delivery saved more than $12,000 over 4 years vs.Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) because basal rates dropped dramatically owing to better insulin absorption said certified diabetes educatorPhyllis Wolff-McDonagh, DNP, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

MDI were significantly more expensive than pump therapy for the high insulin user patients: $41,100 vs. $28,826. With the potential cost savings from improved glycemic control factored in, insulin pumps could also prove cost savings even for the moderate-use group, Dr. Wolff-McDonagh pointed out. Cost calculations included both supplies (syringes or pen needles, pump plus pump supplies) and the insulin.

Diabetes Increases Risk of Thyroid Cancer

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:46:16 -0500

Researchers associated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that the presence of diabetes increased the 10-year risk of thyroid cancer by 25% among adults 50 to 71 years old. Women were at a particularly high risk.

No one is quite sure why there is a connection although both diseases are endocrine disorders and are linked to autoimmune problems.

Hurricane Preparation for People with Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:25:32 -0500

Well, It seems that all of us here in the Philly area are in the crosshairs of Hurricane Irene as it slowly moves up the east coast of the U.S. . Since this type of thing rarely happens to us here in the NorthEast, I thought it may be a good idea to mention some items on the FDA Hurricane Preparedness Checklist that would be important to people with Diabetes. It is of utmost importance to read the entire list as well!

Drugs Exposed to Water

For lifesaving drugs exposed to water, when replacements may not be readily available, if the container is contaminated but the contents appear unaffected –if the pills are dry—the pills may be used until a replacement can be obtained. However, if the pill is wet it is contaminated and should be discarded.
Other drug products (pills, oral liquids, drugs for injections, inhalers, skin medications)—even those in their original containers—should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood or contaminated water. In the ideal setting, capsules, tablets, and liquids in drug containers with screw-top caps, snap lids, or droppers, should be discarded if they are contaminated. In addition, medications that have been placed in any alternative storage containers should be discarded if they have come in contact with flood or contaminated water.

2. Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency

As a general rule, insulin loses its potency according to the temperature it is exposed to and length of that exposure. Under emergency conditions, you might still need to use insulin that has been stored above 86 °F. Such extreme temperatures may cause insulin to lose potency, which could result in loss of blood glucose control over time.
In any case, you should try to keep insulin as cool as possible. Try to keep insulin away from direct heat and out of direct sunlight, but if you are using ice, also avoid freezing the insulin.
When properly stored insulin becomes available, discard and replace the insulin vials that have been exposed to these extreme conditions.

Discontinuation of ACCU-CHEK FlexLink Plus Infusion Sets

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:17:39 -0500

Roche Insulin Delivery Systems has announced today that it has discontinued the ACCU-CHEK FlexLink Plus infusion sets as well as the ACCU-CHEK LinkAssist Plus insertion device. An alternative replacement is the ACCU-CHEK UltraFlex infusion sets and the ACCU-CHEK LinkAssist insertion device.

Red Meat Consumption Increases Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:38:58 -0500

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study suggesting that eating as little as one serving a day of red meat increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. Taken from dietary surveys of more than 200,000 participants in the Harvard Nurses’ Health and the Health Professionals Follow-up studies,Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said "we found that one serving per day of processed meat like a hot dog or sausage was associated with a 50 percent increased risk of diabetes compared with people who ate processed meat less than once a month." (Unprocessed meats in the diet led to a 20 percent increased risk)

Dr. Hu suggested the following:

The high iron content of red meat can increase inflammatory chemicals, which can destroy insulin-producing beta cells.
The nitrates in processed meats may also be toxic to beta cells, which could explain why processed meats contributed even more to risk
Last, those who ate the most red meat also tended to eat fewer fruits and vegetables and were more likely to smoke and be obese.

Dr. Hu added that the finding sends a clear message that Americans should be emphasizing more of a plant-based diet and looking for other sources of protein such as nuts, fish, low-fat dairy, and poultry.

Prevent Diabetes With These Lifestyle Changes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:28:02 -0500

As seen in the latest issue of UPDATE from Independence Blue Cross, here are 7 changes that you can make in your life that may help prevent diabetes:

Understand your risk factors. These include obesity, family history of diabetes, hypertension, a low HDL cholesterol level, being over the age of 45, etc
Take a diagnosis of pre-diabetes seriously .
Get at least 7 hours of sleep .
Lose weight. This is THE most important lifestyle change to reduce your risk.
Eat Right.
Stay Active.
Stop Smoking.

Fructose Facts for People with Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:58:40 -0500

I try to learn something new everyday. I knew that the sweetener Fructose was not good for most people and especially people with Diabetes. I just didn't know how bad it was. Here are some facts from Dietician Joan Endyke and others who ask if YOU knew the following regarding Fructose:

As opposed to other sugars, fructose is metabolized in the liver, converted to triglycerides (fat) and sent to the bloodstream, causing triglyceride levels to rise and increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Fructose diminishes the effects of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite, leading to overeating, weight gain and belly fat.
Excessive fructose can lead to gout.
Sucrose, better known as table sugar, contains 50% fructose
Commonly used sweetners like molasses, honey, apple & grape juice concentrates all contain at least 50% fructose.
Pepsi, Coke, and Sprite contain "Really High Fructose Corn Syrup" (RHFCS) with 65% fructose. These results were recently published in the journal Obesity and easily explains why consuming large amounts of soft drinks can also lead to diabetes and heart disease.
There is growing evidence that excess fructose consumption may lead to insulin resistance and eventually Type 2 Diabetes.

To everyone, eat healthy, excercise daily , and read the labels on your food. Avoid foods containing high amounts of fructose.

New and Better Treatment for Diabetes Retinopathy Coming Soon

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:56:28 -0500

Developers of a new device to treat diabetes retinopathy say that their invention will be implanted behind a patient's eye to deliver medication on demand."We wanted to come up with a safe and effective way to help diabetic patients safeguard their sight," lead author Mu Chiao, a mechanical engineering associate professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, told Science Daily. "This new device offers improvements upon existing implantable devices for drug delivery", added Chiao.

Diabetic retinopathy, a disease that damages the retina, is the leading cause of blindness among adults with diabetes between the ages of 20 and 74, according to the American Diabetes Association. It is currently treated in two different ways.

Photocoagulation-laser therapy where tiny burns are made on the retina to seal the blood vessels.
Anti-cancer drugs, which are given in high doses because they clear quickly from the bloodstream; they may adversely affect surrounding tissue.

Take a Higher Dose of Aspirin if you have Diabetes

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:13:18 -0500

Patients with previous cardiac episodes who were taking a low dose of aspirin daily -- usually 81 mg -- had very little benefit in terms of prevention of a second heart attack or a decreased risk of mortality according to new research based on 21 differerent studies. According to Scot Simpson of the University of Alberta,"We found that, if those same patients took up to 325 milligrams of aspirin per day, they had a 23 percent lower risk of death."

"People with diabetes are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and there is evidence that suggests as much as 60 percent of deaths in diabetics are attributable to heart disease," Simpson said.

July 4th Fajita Burger Recipe is Diabetes Friendly

Joel Shpigel R.Ph. — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:12:18 -0500

Fajita Turkey Burgers

Total time 22 min

Prep 10 min

Servings 4 servings

reviews (2)

What You Need

1 lb. ground turkey breast

1 egg white

1/2 cup KRAFT Mexican Style 2% Milk Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided

1/2 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Medium Salsa, divided

4 onion slices, 1/4 inch thick

1 green pepper, cut into 4 wedges

4 multi-grain hamburger buns

Make It

HEAT greased grill to medium heat.

MIX turkey, egg white and 1/4 cup each cheese and salsa; shape into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties.

GRILL patties and vegetables 5 to 6 min. on each side or until burgers are done (165ºF) and vegetables are crisp-tender.

COMBINE remaining cheese and salsa. Serve burgers in buns topped with vegetables and cheese mixture.

TACO BELL® and HOME ORIGINALS® are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare using KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Taco Cheese.

Special Extra

Stir 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro into cheese mixture before spooning over grilled burgers.

THANK YOU KRAFT FOODS FOR THIS EXCELLENT RECIPE!