Historical developments in the drug therapy of diabetes

It is suggested that some 16 million Americans have diabetes, although about only one-half of them are diagnosed. Type I or IDDM diabetics must take insulin in some form to maintain their life. A larger number of Americans have Type II or NIDDM, and many can be treated with a combination of diet and exercise. Many of the Type II diabetics will need to take oral medications at some point in their life and a somewhat smaller number may find that they must use insulin injections if they are to maintain good control of their diabetes. This article describes the historical events leading up to the present therapeutic options for both Type I and Type II diabetics. Also included is a list of drugs that are in the research phase at the present time as well as a list of internet sites where the practitioner and patient alike can keep up to date on new developments in the treatment of diabetes.