In this webinar, Dr Ryan Paul discusses the newly-funded type 2 diabetes medication dulaglutide, and provides advice on when and how to use it.

Dulaglutide is available from 1 September, but do you know how to pronounce it? Listen to our quick guide for help.

From 1 September and when clinically indicated, dulaglutide can be started in adult patients with type 2 diabetes using the steps shown in this resource.

Talking points, relevant for all patients starting dulaglutide, are provided along with two algorithms and accompanying prescribing notes.

When clinically indicated, empagliflozin can be started in adult patients with type 2 diabetes using the steps shown in this resource (updated 24 Aug 2021).

Talking points, relevant for all patients starting empagliflozin, are provided along with two algorithms and accompanying prescribing notes. Which algorithm you follow will depend on your patient’s level of hypoglycaemia risk. 

When initiating either empagliflozin or dulaglutide, the newly funded second-line type 2 diabetes agents,¹ choice is based primarily on predominant comorbidities, clinical features and tolerability.

Administration route is an additional factor; dulaglutide is a once-weekly, subcutaneous injection and empagliflozin is a daily tablet. Patient factors are also important, and the contraindications and adverse effects profiles differ. 

Read the HAH Bulletin to find out more.

The EPiC Diabetes medicine supply is our most compelling data story yet. Using dispensing data, this dashboard provides clinicians with a way to see how many patients with type 2 diabetes have picked up their medicines regularly over a 12-month period.

Click here to view the national medicine supply data story.

Dulaglutide, a once-weekly injectable medicine, will soon be available for second-line treatment of type 2 diabetes. As most people with type 2 diabetes will require an injectable therapy at some stage, it is important to build acceptability early in the patient journey.

This Quality Improvement Activity enables you to review the glycaemic management of your type 2 diabetes patients and identify those who may benefit from initiation or intensification of blood glucose lowering medicines.

Good glycaemic control has a clear benefit on microvascular outcomes and if started early enough, on long-term macrovascular outcomes of coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

This is a Measuring and Improving Outcomes (MIO) activity that meets RNZCGP CPD requirements.

Diabetes clinical nurse specialist Lisa Sparks discusses the place of empagliflozin and dulaglutide in treatment of type 2 diabetes, with emphasis on potential side effects, sick-day management and improving patient adherence.

This list of Q&A reflects issues discussed in webinars held early in 2021.

The content has been edited, and reviewed by Waikato DHB endocrinologist/diabetologist Dr Ryan Paul.