Diaglit 15 mg Tablet

Thiazolidinedione (insulin sensitiser) for type 2 diabetes in adults — alone (if metformin unsuitable) or with metformin, sulphonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors or insulin; may help fatty liver (NASH) under specialist care.

Adults: 15–30 mg once daily, with or without food; may increase to 45 mg once daily.

• Full effect takes 2–3 months.
• With insulin: start 15–30 mg and watch for fluid retention.
• Review after 3–6 months; stop if no adequate response.

• Heart failure (current or history, NYHA I–IV)
• Liver impairment (ALT > 2.5 × normal)
• Diabetic ketoacidosis, type 1 diabetes
• Current or history of bladder cancer, or uninvestigated blood in the urine
• Allergy to pioglitazone

Common: weight gain, fluid retention/ankle swelling, upper respiratory infections, visual disturbance, increased fracture risk (especially women — hand, foot, upper arm), low blood sugar with insulin/sulphonylureas.

Serious: worsening or new heart failure, macular oedema (blurred vision), liver injury (rare), bladder cancer risk with long-term use.

• Report breathlessness, rapid weight gain or swelling.
• Report blood in the urine, urinary urgency or pain.
• Liver tests before starting and periodically.
• Bone health in post-menopausal women.
• May restore ovulation in premenopausal women with PCOS — pregnancy risk.

Not recommended in pregnancy (insulin preferred) or while breastfeeding.

• Gemfibrozil (raises levels — reduce pioglitazone dose)
• Rifampicin (lowers levels)
• Insulin, sulphonylureas (hypoglycaemia, fluid retention with insulin)
• NSAIDs (fluid retention)

Low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes drugs. Supportive care.

Store below 30°C.