Sign up for our newsletter

Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) is a group of medications that are used treat Diabetes Type 2.  This class of medicaitons is also called glitazones. This medication is intended to lower blood glucose levels.

TZDs bind to a receptor called the peroxisome proliferator activeated receptor-gamma. This happens in the fat cells (adipocytes) and helps induce a person with type 2 diabetes to become more sensitive to insulin. This means that insulin will be more effective.

This medicaiton can be used alone or in “monotherapy” with another medication. Additional medicaitons may include Metformin or Sulponylureas. This medication was introduced in the late 1990s.

One of the important side effects to note is that weight gain and increased peripheral fat mass may be seen in some patients.

Actions:

1.)  Decreases the “resistance” of insulin

2.)  Binds to receptors called peroxisome proliferator activeated receptor-gamma

3.)  Promotes maturation of fat cells and depositon of fat into peripheral tissues

4.)  Circulating fat concentrations improve the sensitivity to insulin

Different Medictions Types

  –  Rosiglitazine  (Avandia)

  –  Pioglitazone  (Actos)

–  Troglitazone (Rezulin) – this is no longer on market due to drug-induced hepatitis

Uses:

1.)  Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Side Effects

–  Water retention

–  Weight gain

–  Others

–  ***Possible liver failure when stopping troglitazone only – other medications have not been showed to have this side effect