In internal medicine resident clinics, there are a high percentage of patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The clinic staff, consisting of nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and physicians, work collaboratively to determine the best course of treatment to manage patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), patients are unable to process glucose due to their bodies inability to produce enough insulin. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) may be characterized either by lack of insulin secretion or loss of sensitivity to the insulin produced. While symptoms and complications of both T1DM and T2DM are similar, the pharmacological treatment for these medical conditions can differ. Injectable insulin therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with T1DM; whereas, patients with T2DM are commonly able to manage their medical condition with oral medications. However, current guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) support the use of non-oral antihyperglycemic medications, such as glucagon-like 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), in patients early in their disease management.

The pharmacy and nursing staff, along with the clinic’s social worker, frequently educate patients regarding their pharmacotherapy. With the increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and their similarities shared with various insulin devices, the focus of this presentation will be to differentiate between these injectable medications. Additionally, this presentation will aid to increase the staff’s knowledge on pertinent administration considerations associated with these devices. The following points will be discussed in relation to the GLP-1 receptor agonists and different insulins: mechanism of action, names of medications, types of devices used, administration technique, and patient consultation.