Important Note

The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

TROGLITAZONE - ORAL

(trow-GLIT-uh-zone)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Rezulin

WARNING: Troglitazone has caused serious, even fatal, liver problems. Therefore, this medication should be used only in carefully selected patients. Before starting this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver problems or drink alcoholic beverages. You will also have laboratory tests (e.g., liver function tests) performed before starting and during treatment, with this medication. If you develop any of the following signs of liver problems, stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately: yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, nausea, or abdominal/stomach pain.

Uses

This medication is used to treat diabetes. It works by helping to restore your body's proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. This drug has been withdrawn from the U.S. market due to safety or effectiveness problems. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, circulation problems, and blindness.

How To Use

Take this medication once daily with a meal or as directed by your doctor. Continue to use other antidiabetic drugs unless instructed to discontinue them by your doctor. Follow all directions carefully regarding eating patterns (usually three meals a day recommended). See NOTES Section also.

Side Effects

In general, this medicine is well tolerated. Unusual weakness, dizziness, back pain, or nausea may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: sore throat, cough, unusual tiredness or weakness, tremors, rapid pulse, muscle ache, swelling, unusual thirst, unusual amount of urine, trouble breathing, sudden weight gain. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: vomiting, stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, persistent cough. Notify your doctor if low blood sugar occurs. This has been noted when the medication is combined with insulin. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Use of this medication is not recommended if you have newly diagnosed or worsening heart failure (acute congestive heart failure). Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have: any allergies, liver disease, heart disease (e.g., chronic congestive heart failure), fertility problems (female). During times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor or pharmacist as additional medication may be required. Consult your pharmacist to learn the symptoms of high or low blood sugar. Some symptoms of high blood sugar include thirst and increased urination. Low blood sugar may cause you to feel shaky, sweaty, hungry, or have an increased pulse. Carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar (consult your pharmacist). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medication. It is not known whether this drug passes into human milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially: cholestyramine, colestipol, sulfonylurea diabetic drugs (e.g., glyburide, glipizide), terfenadine, birth control pills. This drug may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes and all important aspects of its treatment including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications and getting regular eye, foot and medical exams. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts) will be performed to monitor for side effects and response to therapy. Regularly check your blood or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).