International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Feb 2004
ReviewLong-term glycaemic control with pioglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Patients with type 2 diabetes have dual defects: insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a new class of oral drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, reduce insulin resistance via an action on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. There is also growing evidence that TZDs may preserve beta-cell function. ⋯ As well as maintaining glycaemic control over the long term, pioglitazone also confers benefits in terms of improvements in fasting insulin, lipid parameters, C-peptide and 32,33-split proinsulin (independent predictors of cardiovascular risk) and hypoglycaemia compared with other monotherapies or combination therapies. It is well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events. These long-term data support the concept that pioglitazone should be used earlier in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, either as monotherapy or as add-on therapy.