Diabetes mellitus (DM) is curbing the normal lifestyle and is one of the leading cause of mortality around the world. Along with many other comorbidities, it also brings a huge healthcare burden on society.
During the last three decades, due to the sedentary lifestyle and increasing obesity, the prevalence of DM has faced a tremendous increment. The major factor responsible for such an enormous increase is ignorance about a healthy and active lifestyle.
2 Types of Diabetes mellitus
- Insulin-dependent DM (Type 1): Insulin therapy is necessary
- Non-insulin Dependent DM (Type 2): Oral anti-diabetic drugs are mostly sufficient with lifestyle modifications
Type 2 DM (T2DM)
Type 2 DM (T2DM) is a chronic condition and needs life long medical treatment, which comes at an enormous cost. Along with the medications, T2DM management includes necessary lifestyle modifications like quitting smoking and alcohol, including regular exercise and a balanced diet.
T2DM is the mother of many other diseases. Too much glucose (sugar) in the blood can lead to several health complications, like eye problems (loss of vision), kidney damage, nerve damage, foot problems, and dental complications. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke and other heart diseases.
In the following part, we will discuss three-decade-old potent medicine, which is still one of the first line choices for the management of T2DM.
Pioglitazone is an anti-diabetic drug which decreases insulin resistance and improves glycemic control. It is also a drug with some unique benefits, one of which is that there is no risk of kidney damage or nerve problems. Moreover, it is not associated with the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
Pioglitazone: How is it useful?
Pioglitazone belongs to thiazolidinedione (Glitazones) class. It is used along with proper diet and exercise to control the blood glucose level.
It improves insulin sensitivity, leading to better glycemic control and dyslipidemia. It leads to the utilization of glucose in peripheral organs and decreases gluconeogenesis (production of sugar inside the body) in the liver; thereby, it reduces insulin resistance.
How does it work?
- Pioglitazone works by increasing the body’s sensitivity to the insulin produced by the body and reducing insulin resistance. It facilitates glucose intake by the cells.
- Pioglitazone is an activator for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), the receptors which are responsible for the carbohydrate
- (sugar) and lipid (fat) metabolism.
- The interaction between Pioglitazone and these receptors results in a decrease in glucose levels, free fatty acids and reduces tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is a chemical mediator of inflammation.
Advantages of Pioglitazone
- Pioglitazone (thiazolidinedione derivative), which controls high blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes,.
- There is no risk of kidney damage or nerve problems.
- There is no risk of hypoglycemia when it is used alone.
- It also decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Pioglitazone increases the HDL level (High-density lipoprotein), which is good cholesterol and decreases fasting triglycerides as well as free fatty acids.
- Coadministration with an insulin secretagogue (which helps your pancreas make and secrete insulin) like sulfonylurea decreases the dose of insulin secretagogue by 10–25%.
Dosage of Pioglitazone
- Pioglitazone is a prescription drug which is used either alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic medications like metformin or glyburide.
- These are available in the form of tablets with a convenient once-a-day dosing schedule.
- The dose for Pioglitazone is 15–30 mg with a meal daily. With careful monitoring, the dose is increased by up to 45 mg.
- Coadministration with gemfibrozil (potent CYP2C8 inhibitors) reduces the dose of Pioglitazone to 15 mg daily.
Comparison with Other Antidiabetic Medications
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Benefits | Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin | Reduces hepatic glucose production | Weight neutral, improves lipid profile | Gastrointestinal issues |
| Sulfonylureas | Stimulate insulin release from pancreas | Rapid reduction in blood glucose | Hypoglycemia, weight gain |
| DPP-4 Inhibitors | Increase incretin levels | Weight neutral, low risk of hypoglycemia | Mild gastrointestinal issues |
| SGLT-2 Inhibitors | Increase urinary glucose excretion | Weight loss, reduced blood pressure | Genital infections, dehydration |
Side effects of Pioglitazone
The side effects of Pioglitazone includes mild muscle, abdominal, back pain, sore throat, headache and loss of appetite.
Precautions:
- Never take Pioglitazone without physician consultation.
- In the event of any severe or unusual effects, consult the doctor immediately. Also, if the signs and symptoms of heart failure are observed, one should inform their doctor without wasting any time.
- Always take your medicine on time or as prescribed by the physician.
- It is contraindicated if the patient is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, moderate to severe hepatic impairment, chronic heart disease or bladder cancer.
We hope you are now aware of the beneficial effects of Pioglitazone. It is a drug which is needed daily for the betterment of diabetic patients.
All the medicines are remarkably good in quality and money saving when it comes to cost. Dr Best Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd strives to decrease the burden of treatment on patients. One can easily get the prescribed dose of Pioglitazone from Dr. Best Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. Our online pharmacy is consistently working to provide medicines of major therapeutic classes, such as antidiabetics, antihypertensives, hypolipidemic drugs, cardiovascular drugs, analgesics, antibiotics, vitamins, and many more, at 80% lesser price.
DRPG 15 (Pioglitazone) is a quality anti-diabetic generic drug and is available at 80% discount, and you can easily order it from our online pharmacy 24 hours a day. We offer online medicines with maximum discount for the convenience of patients so that no patient suffers due to the high cost of anti-diabetic drugs.
In summary
Pioglitazone is a useful drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially in those who are insulin resistant. It provides extra advantages to metabolism and aids in blood glucose management by activating PPAR-γ and enhancing insulin sensitivity. To choose the best course of action, it is essential to take into account any possible adverse effects and speak with medical experts.
Dr. Best highlights the significance of managing diabetes holistically, encompassing lifestyle adjustments, consistent tracking, and customised drug schedules. Understanding the function of drugs like pioglitazone might help Indian patients control their diabetes more effectively and get better overall health results.
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