Pharmacological approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes in fasting adults during Ramadan

rmacological approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes in fasting adults during Ramadan Review (6677) Total Article Views Authors: AlMaatouq MA Published Date May 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 109 - 119 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S23261 Received: 28 January 2012 Accepted: 05 March 2012 Published: 01 May 2012 Mohamed A AlMaatouq Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract: More than 50 million Muslims throughout the world with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) fast for one lunar month (Ramadan) each year. Health care providers within and outside the Muslim world need to be aware of the nature of these partial days of fasting and their risks (and potential benefits) to people with T2DM, and need to provide Ramadan-adjusted diabetes care. Hypoglycemia during the fasting days represents the greatest health risk for these patients; hence, diabetes-related pharmacotherapy needs to be tailored and adjusted with this risk in mind. With limited trial data available, this review proposes practical modifications to the usual pre-Ramadan antidiabetic regimens that are based on pathophysiological principles, clinical trial evidence (where available), expert opinion, and extended practical experience. Individualization of care is paramount in this regard to take into consideration the patient and societal, cultural, and economic variables.