Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011849 (diabetes)
 277,896 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal problem in diabetes, and its prevalence has been underestimated. The cause of diabetic diarrhea is unknown, but it is probably related to gastrointestinal motility disturbances secondary to diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Other causes (especially primary malabsorption syndromes and islet cell tumors) must be excluded. Treatment of diabetic diarrhea is largely symptomatic and only moderately effective. Antidiarrheal agents may ameliorate acute episodes. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres) have had some success in long-term control. Most recently, subcutaneous administration of somatostatin analogues has been shown to be helpful, the main side effects being drowsiness and vomiting.
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PMID:Diabetic diarrhea. An underdiagnosed complication? 160 50

The effectiveness and safety of transdermally administered clonidine hydrochloride was assessed in 16 patients with type-II diabetes mellitus. This group of patients was chosen because of the frequent occurrence of hypertension in diabetic patients and potential problems with transdermal absorption of medication because of small vessel disease. A skin patch containing clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres TTS) was applied at weekly intervals after an appropriate placebo lead-in period. Satisfactory response to therapy was seen in 15 of the 16 patients. One patient developed a generalized skin rash and was withdrawn from the study. Correlation between change in diastolic blood pressure and plasma clonidine levels was noted. Of note was the absence of the usual side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth, etc.) seen with oral clonidine administration. This study thus highlights the success of transdermal clonidine therapy in controlling blood pressure in the mild hypertensive patient with diabetes mellitus.
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PMID:The use of transcutaneous clonidine hydrochloride in the patient with diabetes mellitus and mild hypertension. 383

Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres), a potent antihypertensive agent, has been in clinical use since 1974 in the United States. Clonidine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist, stimulates central alpha receptors in the depressor site of the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata and hypothalamus, which diminishes efferent sympathetic tone to the heart, kidneys, and peripheral vasculature with a concomitant increase in vagal activity. Hemodynamic and renal effects include reduction in supine and erect blood pressure, heart rate, total peripheral resistance, plasma renin activity, and urinary aldosterone and catecholamine excretion, with little effect on resting cardiac output, response to exercise, and preservation of renal function. Clonidine alone produces a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure in all degrees of hypertension during acute and chronic administration, with little or no tendency toward tolerance or postural hypotension. Its antihypertensive potency is enhanced with the concomitant use of a diuretic or vasodilator, and it may be used in place of a beta blocker with equal efficacy in the diuretic plus vasodilator combination. Serious adverse effects are uncommon, with more than 93% of patients tolerating the drug well. Sedation and dry mouth, the most common adverse effects, are usually related to dose and duration and are minimized by gradually increasing the dose and by taking the major portion of the twice-daily schedule at bedtime. Clonidine may be safely given to patients with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, obstructive lung disease, chronic renal insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus. Clonidine is one of the most versatile and effective agents presently available for the treatment of hypertension.
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PMID:Clonidine hydrochloride. 704 65