Posology of Antidiabetic Drugs and Insulins: A Review of Standard Textbooks

The aim of this bibliographic review is to assess whether standard pharmacology, endocrinology and diabetologytextbooks adequately mention the details regarding timings of administration, frequency and dose of various oral andinjectable antidiabetic drugs. Material and methods: Four standard textbooks of pharmacology, two of diabetology andthree of endocrinology were assessed for the published information regarding dose, timing and frequency of antidiabeticdrugs. Results: Various omissions and contraindications were found in the coverage of glucose-lowering drugs in standardtextbooks. Proper timing and frequency of administration of sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors have been omitted in majority of the textbooks. Conclusions: This article stressesupon the need of a uniform source of information for providing adequate and standardized knowledge regarding timing,frequency and dose of antidiabetic drugs.