Pioglitazone monitoring

Published Last updated
Using this page · Individualise medicines monitoring

This medicines monitoring page has been written using publications and expert opinion. It is designed to save clinician time, but not replace professional responsibility. When using this page you should: ensure an individualised monitoring plan is developed in partnership with the patient and take account of any locally agreed advice and guidance.

Before starting

Required

  • Baseline
    • HbA1c
    • Liver function testsdo not initiate if ALT greater than 2.5 x upper limit of normal or other evidence of liver disease
    • Urinalysisto detect macroscopic haematuria; if present, investigate before starting
    • Weight

Ongoing once stable

Consider

  • 6 monthly
    • HbA1cDiscontinue if inadequate response after 3-6 months
  • At least annually
    • Liver function testsif ALT greater than 3 x upper limit of normal: reassess as soon as possible; discontinue if persists
  • Periodically
    • Weightweight gain may be due to fluid retention; a symptom of heart failure

Notes

Advice to patients

Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if develop:

  • symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia and dark urine develop
  • visible haematuria or other urinary symptoms such as dysuria or urinary urgency
  • disturbances in visual acuity (worsening or new onset macular oedema possible; consider ophthalmological referral)

Bibliography

Update history

  1. Baseline requirement for FBC removed, periodical weight requirement added; references updated.
  1. Published

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