Abstract
Ploglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that specifically reduces insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. It has been thoroughly investigated in clinical trials and since its market introduction in 1999 has been prescribed to many patients worldwide. In both monotherapy and combination therapy controlled trials, pioglitazone has proved to be an effective anti-hyperglycaemic agent, reducing fasting plasma glucose and displaying dose-dependent, long-term reductions in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) compared with placebo. Furthermore, in combination studies, insulin resistance and beta-cell function were significantly improved over baseline and placebo, as measured by HOMA. Pioglitazone also significantly reduced the levels of circulating triglycerides and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol without affecting total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In all clinical trials, pioglitazone has been well-tolerated. It may be that the effects of pioglitazone on diabetic dyslipidaemia are at least as important as its effects on lowering blood glucose.
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