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What are the potential toxic effects or adverse reactions associated with glitazones or thiazolidinediones?

User Khashashin
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Final answer:

Glitazones, or thiazolidinediones, carry risks of heart failure, bone fractures, bladder cancer, hepatotoxicity, weight gain, and edema, all of which are significant adverse reactions associated with their use in diabetes management.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glitazones, or thiazolidinediones, are a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. Their use is associated with several potential toxic effects or adverse reactions. These effects include an increased risk of heart failure, due to fluid retention leading to an expansion of the plasma volume and subsequent cardiac overload. There may also be an elevated risk of bone fractures, particularly in women, likely due to alterations in bone mineral density or bone turnover. Evidence suggests that glitazones can increase the risk of bladder cancer, especially with prolonged use.

Hepatotoxicity, presenting as an increase in liver enzymes, is another concern, though it appears to be a rare side effect. Additionally, weight gain is commonly observed, which may counteract the metabolic benefits of blood glucose lowering. Finally, edema is another frequently reported side effect, which can further complicate heart failure in susceptible individuals.