People at high risk of developing diabetes may be able to ward off the disease by taking the drug pioglitazone, a new study suggests, but critics say the potential side effects of the medication may outweigh the benefits for those who are still disease-free.
Pioglitazone, sold under the brand name Actos, belongs to the same class of drugs as the diabetes medication rosiglitazone, sold as Avandia, which was found to increase the risk of heart attack in patients taking it. Rosiglitazone was taken off the market in Europe, and its use is greatly restricted in the United States.
Patients taking the drug gained weight, however, and experienced fluid retention. Critics said it was not clear whether the drug prevented diabetes or simply lowered elevated blood sugar, and some suggested that a better alternative would be for people at risk to exercise and eat a healthier diet.
In experience, patients on these types of medications have difficulty adding muscle and moderation of carbohydrates seems to have minimal effect on their body composition. It seems that once they are on Actos or Avandia they are almost assured of heart disease, full blown diabetes or both.
New York Times
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