Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for Rosiglitazone use as follows:
- Rosiglitazone should be avoided in individuals with history of serious allergic reactions to rosiglitazone use.
- History of macular damage: Macula is the central portion of the retina that helps us to have the most clear and sharpest vision. A layer of nerve tissue exists beneath the retina and macula. Retinal and macular contact with this nerve tissue is important for the visual signal to be conducted to the brain, processed, and finally, to be able to see. Use of rosiglitazone can contribute to significant fluid retention in the body. Fluid could be retained in the macula, resulting in swelling of macula and macular edema. Macular edema detaches the macula and retina from the nerve tissue beneath. This leads to poor conduction of visual signals to the brain, impaired processing of the image, and consequently, leads to blurred vision. Use of rosiglitazone in individuals with history of macular damage can deteriorate the vision further and increase risk for blindness. So, rosiglitazone is better avoided for a safer alternative in individuals with history of macular injury and compromised vision.
- Osteoporosis: Bone remodeling is a continuous lifetime process involving removal of the mature bone tissue from the skeletal framework (bone resorption) and deposition of new bone into the skeletal framework. Rosiglitazone use can result in increased resorption of the existing bone framework and decreased new bone formation. This contributes to weakening of the skeletal framework, resulting in episodes of sharp bone pain and pathological fractures. Individuals with history of osteopenia and osteoporosis must be increasingly cautious while taking rosiglitazone, as it enhances the risk for further weakening of bones. They must maintain a close watch for any episodes of sharp bone pain & tenderness and report to the physician on the same. Rosiglitazone use could be avoided in osteoporotic patients for a safer alternative to prevent progression of osteoporosis and development of fractures.
