What should I know before I take a glitazone?

Donna Hill Howes, RN

Family Practitioner

Your doctor will need to test your liver and kidney function before starting treatment. If you have moderate to severe liver disease, you should not take pioglitazone. If you have mild liver disease, pioglitazone may not be a good option for you. Rosiglitazone may cause elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis, and liver failure.

If you have NYHA class III or IV heart failure, you should not take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone. If you have any other type of symptomatic heart failure, a glitazone may not be a good option for you.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or may be pregnant, glitazones may not be a good option for you. It is not known if they are safe for pregnant women.

You should not take a glitazone if you are breastfeeding.

This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), often referred to as diabetes, is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin and/or effectively utilize the insulin. Diabetes is a serious, life-long condition and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (the body's way of digesting food and converting it into energy). There are three forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that accounts for five- to 10-percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for 90- to 95-percent of all diagnosed cases. The third type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy and is referred to as gestational diabetes. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for pregnant women and their babies. People with diabetes can take preventive steps to control this disease and decrease the risk of further complications.

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