Troglitazone Drug for Diabetes: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Troglitazone

Use:

Troglitazone is used in the treatment of diabetes.

How It Works:

Troglitazone decreases insulin resistance by enhancing its activity in the liver, muscle, and fat cells. With more insulin activity, blood sugar is lowered.
Troglitazone is useful in Type II diabetes, that is, non insulin dependent diabetes, because some amount of insulin in the body is needed for its action. In Type I diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes, there is no insulin.

Side Effects:

Troglitazone is well tolerated, however it may lower blood sugar levels too much - hypoglycemia.

Cautions for People:

People can decrease insulin resistance by loosing weight and exercising regularly, thus these activities are still important even if they use troglitazone.

Drug Interactions:

Troglitazone in combination with any drug that can also lower blood sugar levels will result in hypoglycemia.

Further Reading:

New Engl J Med 1994;331:118,1226
J Nutr 1995;125:17155,18185
Drugs Aging 1995;7(5):331
Diabetes Care 1996;19:151

Added to Virtual Drugstore November 1996.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.