Clinical indications of thiazolidinediones

Abstract

Undertreatment of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes is a major therapeutic problem. This is partly because reduced insulin sensitivity and beta cell failure become resistant to current therapies. The thiazolidinediones are a new class of drugs that improve insulin sensitivity. However, large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess their clinical roles and whether they have microvascular protective effects beyond those associated with lowering blood glucose. Trials with clinical end-points are also required to determine if thiazolidinediones reduce macrovascular disease. Thiazolidinediones can cause delayed-onset hypoglycaemin, especially in combination with other oral hypoglycaemic drugs,..