Patient was educated on side effects of using thiazolidinediones as follows:
- Fluid retention
- This group of drugs can result in significant fluid retention and can cause complications in individuals with congestive heart failure.
- Patients can present with edema, weight gain, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Osteoporosis
- Thiazolidinediones can also result in weakening of the skeletal framework, resulting in osteoporosis and pathological fractures.
- Hypoglycemia
- Thiazolidinediones by decreasing the insulin resistance, can result in excessive uptake of glucose and lead to reduced blood sugars.
- But, hypoglycemia with this group of medication is not a common complaint, unless they are used in combination with other medications, which have a significant risk for side effect of hypoglycemia, such as, sulfonylureas.
- Muscle pain
- Thiazolidinediones can significantly increase risk of muscle and skeletal pains and fatigue.
- Macular edema
- Thiazolidinediones can result in macular edema and consequently, lead to blurred vision.
- Bladder cancer
- Chronic use of thiazolidinediones is associated with significant increase the risk for diminishing liver function, bladder cancer, and heart failure.
