Management of rosiglitazone-induced edema: two case reports and a review of the literature

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2002;4(4):505-14. doi: 10.1089/152091502760306599.

Abstract

The thiazolidinediones are an important class of insulin-sensitizing agents used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Similar to other antidiabetic agents, use of the thiazolidinediones is limited by adverse drug reactions. Specifically, use of the thiazolidinediones is associated with a triad of fluid retention, edema, and weight gain. In premarketing clinical trials, edema was reported to occur infrequently with minimal severity. However, several published cases from postmarketing data demonstrate that thiazolidinedione-induced fluid retention, exhibited by the initial onset of peripheral edema and weight gain, can progress to a more severe form of pulmonary edema that is refractory to diuretic therapy with resolution of symptoms only through discontinuation of the offending thiazolidinedione. In clinical practice, the occurrence of edema secondary to a thiazolidinedione drug may occur more frequently than reported. Two cases presented in this report illustrate a different outpatient management approach that enables both desired glycemic control and minimal fluid retention while using the thiazolidinediones.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Body Weight
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diuresis / drug effects*
  • Edema / chemically induced*
  • Edema / therapy
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity*
  • Rosiglitazone
  • Thiazoles / adverse effects*
  • Thiazolidinediones*

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Thiazoles
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Rosiglitazone