For treatment of type 2 diabetes, Glitazones are a class of drugs that improves the body’s insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is believed to be one of the main reasons for high blood sugar found in type 2 diabetics. Two preparations of these types of drugs are rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos). There are also drugs that combine each with metformin (Actoplus Met and Avandamet), and one that combines pioglitazone and the diabetes drug glimepiride (Duetact). Troglitazone (Rezulin) was another of the ‘diabetes glitazones’ used in the 1990s, but was taken off the market in 2000, due to the risk of hepatitis and liver damage.

Glitazones: Risks and Side Effects

In addition to the risk of liver damage, some people may experience a loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, there may be eye discoloration, or darker than average urine. The drug may also cause the body to retain fluid, …