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Drug Side Effects

When Should You Not Take TZDs?

Apr 28, 2017

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) aid in treating type 2 diabetes by reducing our body’s resistance to insulin. However, one should not take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone if the following conditions exist:

An Allergy to Any of The Components Present in The Medication

Allergic symptoms like swelling of the face / tongue / lips / throat, or other skin problems like rashes, itching or hives, could show up if one has been medicating with TZDs. It is advisable to contact your personal doctor as soon as possible so that a corrective course of action can be taken before stopping a medication that your body might have (ironically) got used to.

A Heart Disease or Congestive Heart Failure

Patients with heart disease should stay away from TZDs as the risk of heart failure is a classic symptom of medicating with them. Edema could be one of the first signs of congestive heart failure (CHF.) Having a prior history of cardiac disease (heart attack or coronary artery disease) makes it even more risky to medicate with TZDs. Developing complications of the heart due to TZD medication requires immediate discontinuation of the drug. But, keep in mind, the doctor who is monitoring the patient should be involved as soon as possible before any major changes are made with respect to treatment. There could be other complications that will arise if they aren’t either substituted with a more compatible drug or slowly cut out from the present treatment method.

Having Shortness of Breath or Swelling

This could mean that the patient is exerting and is unable to keep up. This could be due to heart issues or other causes like asthma, obesity or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The presence of these will need to be established so that the patient can be monitored for a few months, while on medication, and necessary changes can be made with respect to treatment.

If you face the following reactions after consuming TZDs, please contact your medical practitioner quickly. He may ask you to stop medicating with it, but you need to have his consent before you do.

• Problems in breathing or swallowing
• Skin peeling or onset of blisters on your eyes/nose/skin or mouth
• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling dizzy and light headed

To understand the side effects of TZDs in detail, have a look at this article.

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.