Troglitazone

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine lowers blood sugar in type II diabetics. It is used in combination with other diabetes agents (not alone). It may take 1-2 months to see the biggest effect.

How does it work?

• Troglitazone decreases the liver's output of glucose and increases insulin activity in the body.

How is it best taken?

• Take with food. Take at a similar time every day.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• If you are taking cholestyramine, take it at least 2 hours after this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is missed at the usual meal, take it with the next meal.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for diabetes.
• Do not use if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have a weakened heart. Watch for weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high cholesterol (increases bad cholesterol). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine or an increase in dose. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Weight gain.
• Increased cholesterol (increase of 10% to 15%).
• Liver injury (see monitoring below).
• May cause ovulation in premenopausal women who have not being ovulating. There is a risk of getting pregnant then.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Call if glucose is less than 80 mg/dL or greater than 250 mg/dL. Bring results to follow-up visits.
• Watch for low blood sugar. Causes anger, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, sweating.
• Watch for high blood sugar. Causes many trips to the bathroom, thirst, and weight loss.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Have an eye exam and visit to the foot doctor every year.
• Liver function test monitoring before therapy and then monthly for the first year and every 3 months after that. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Check lipid (cholesterol) panel. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
• Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes/skin, not hungry.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture and humidity.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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