Information on Glitazone Medication for Diabetes

Glitazones are a class of oral prescription medications that are sometimes referred to by the clinical term thiazolidinediones. Doctors prescribe glitazone medications to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes as an alternative for insulin injections.

Function

• Glitazone medications work by stimulating areas in your cells that are meant to interact with insulin, making your body more sensitive to the effects of insulin. When your body is more sensitive to the effects of insulin, your blood sugar levels will decrease if you have type 2 diabetes.

Types

• There are two main glitazone medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. Both drugs can be used individually for type 2 diabetes or taken with another oral diabetes medication, such as metformin.

Cost

• Glitazone medications are expensive drugs and the average costs around $100 per month, according to Amarillo Medical Specialists.

Time Frame

• Glitazones may begin to lower blood sugar levels within four to five days, but most patients do not notice a discernable difference in glucose levels until the drug is used for two to six weeks, reports Amarillo Medical Specialists.

Risks

• Common side effects of glitazones include upper respiratory tract and sinus infections, headaches and back or muscle pain. Glitazone drugs can cause an accumulation of fluid in your body, which poses a risk for heart failure in some patients, warns RxList.