What is troglitazone (oral)?
Troglitazone has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.
Troglitazone is an antihyperglycemic agent. It helps your body respond better to insulin
and it reduces the amount of sugar produced by your liver. It can help control blood sugar levels.
Troglitazone is used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II diabetes),
along with diet and exercise, and insulin, a sulfonylurea, or metformin (Glucophage) if necessary.
Troglitazone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking troglitazone (oral)?
Do not take troglitazone without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
In rare cases, troglitazone has caused severe liver damage resulting in death or liver transplant.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
-
have kidney disease;
-
have heart failure;
-
have thyroid disease;
-
have type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes);
-
have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or
-
need surgery.
You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if
you have any of the conditions listed above.
Treatment with troglitazone may cause resumption of fertility by allowing for the return
of ovulation (production of eggs) in certain women with insulin resistance who were not
ovulating before treatment with troglitazone. Therefore, pregnancy may occur and birth control
may be a consideration.
Troglitazone is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to
harm an unborn baby. However, insulin is usually the drug of choice for controlling diabetes
during pregnancy. Do not take troglitazone without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant.
It is not known whether troglitazone passes into breast milk. Do not take troglitazone
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take troglitazone (oral)?
Take troglitazone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take troglitazone with a meal to help increase the amount of medicine your body
absorbs.
Your doctor will need to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting
treatment with troglitazone, every month for the first year of treatment, and every 3 months
(quarterly) thereafter.
In rare cases, troglitazone has caused severe liver damage resulting in death or liver
transplant. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, clay-colored stools, or dark urine.
These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you.
Store troglitazone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of troglitazone (oral)?
If you forget to take troglitazone at the usual meal, take it at the next meal that same day.
If you completely forget to take it one day, skip the missed dose.
Never
take
more than the usual amount of troglitazone in one day to make up for a missed dose. If you take
more than the usual amount, call your doctor right away.
Where can I get more information about troglitazone (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about troglitazone (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of troglitazone (oral)?
Stop taking troglitazone and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives).
In rare cases, troglitazone has caused severe liver damage resulting in death or liver
transplant. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, clay-colored stools, or dark urine.
These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
Although troglitazone does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption. Know
the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness, weakness,
dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose
tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about troglitazone (oral)?
Troglitazone has been withdrawn from the U.S. market.
In rare cases, troglitazone has caused severe liver damage resulting in death or liver
transplant. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, itching, clay-colored stools, or dark urine.
These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.
Your doctor will need to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting
treatment with troglitazone, every month for the first year of treatment, and every 3 months
(quarterly) thereafter.
Troglitazone usually does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However,
hypoglycemia may occur as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol
consumption. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of
hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Troglitazone may decrease the effects of some birth control pills. A higher dose of
birth control pills, or another form of birth control, may be necessary while taking troglitazone to
prevent pregnancy.
What should I avoid while taking troglitazone (oral)?
Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these
factors can effect your blood sugar levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any
surgery.
Do not take any over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight-loss medications
without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect troglitazone (oral)?
Before taking troglitazone, tell your doctor if you are taking
-
cholestyramine (Questran),
-
terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D), or
-
birth control pills.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with troglitazone or affect your
condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
What happens if I have an overdose of troglitazone (oral)?
