Is pioglitazone still prescribed?

[mohan1212]

Is pioglitazone still prescribed by doctors? I found it very effective but stopped due to controversy. My Dr has again prescribed 7.5 mg. Anyone taking it?

[gangadharan_nair]

FDA Drug Safety Communication: Updated FDA review concludes that use of type 2 diabetes medicine pioglitazone may be linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer

Links:-

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piogl...

medlineplus.gov/druginfo/me...

[namaha Administrator]

Dear Mohan

Pioglitazone belongs to a family of drugs known as thiazolidinedione, a PPARy agonist.....

It is a versatile drug for truely reversing insulin resistance.. it acts at cellular level through out the body...and very effective in reducing Hba1c.... known for preserving beta cells . ....

Unfortunately, it was linked to following side effects at VERY HiGH dose of 30 to 45 mg per day...

(1) weight gain , though weight gain is posivelly affected by reduction in Hba1c....

(2) Edema if taken at high dose along with insulin secretagogues like sulfonylureas.

(3)linked to bladder cancer at high doses, though the risk is extremely low.

(4) Risk of bone fracture only for females at very dose..

In fact the maker / inventor Takeda pharma was fined by a USA court for hiding some evidence of side effects.

Many countries banned this drug . In India also , it was banned in 2013. But the ban in India was lifted after 6 months in the same year. Currently USA is still using this drug...and so also many other countries have started reusing this drug at low doses . ...

The rational behind lifting the ban on Pioglitazone is :

(1) the risk benefit analysis weighs in favour of benefits than the extremely low risk of the side effects... which is again at high dose...

(2) Not to be given to a person who already have a bladder issue. ..

(3) the drug is effective even at low dose of 7.5 mg which may not carry any risk...

Having said that, if your beta cell status is fairly good , it is better to control your blood suagr by diet and exercise and minimise drugs.. please consult with your physician if you need this drug ....also do you have frequent urination during night and day -and everytime it is urgent ......

Then it may not be the drug for you. ..

[mohan1212 in reply to namaha]

Thanks for the response. I have been prescribed 7.5 twice a day taking it to 15. As of now I have no urge to urinate and don't get up in the middle of the night.

[mohan1212 in reply to namaha]

How to check beta cell status?

[namaha Administrator in reply to mohan1212]

You can check beta cell status i.e how much insulin your pancreas is producing (1) Fasting insulin

(2) PP insulin..

(3) C -Peptide

The test result can get affected if you are taking any insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylurea, Gliptin....

So if you are taking these drugs , it better if you stop for the day you are going to give your blood sample.... for getting the authentic status...

Metformin and Pioglitazone are not insulin secretagogues... So it may not influence the result...

But please consult your doctor ...and if your current blood sugar levels are very high even with medicines , it is not recommended to stop medicines such as insulin secretagogues!