Combination of | |
---|---|
Pioglitazone | Thiazolidinedione |
Glimepiride | Sulfonylurea |
Clinical data | |
Trade names | Duetact, Tandemact |
AHFS/ Drugs.com | UK Drug Information |
License data | |
Routes of administration | By mouth |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | |
KEGG |
Pioglitazone/glimepiride, sold under the brand name Duetact among others, is a fixed-dose combination anti-diabetic medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. [2] [1] It contains the thiazolidinedione pioglitazone and the sulfonylurea glimepiride. [2] [1] It is taken by mouth. [2] [1]
The most common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections (such as colds), hypoesthesia (reduced sense of touch), bone fractures, weight gain, dizziness, flatulence (gas) and edema (swelling). [1]
Pioglitazone makes cells (fat, muscle and liver) more sensitive to insulin, which means that the body makes better use of the insulin it produces. [1] Glimepiride is a sulphonylurea: it stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. [1] Pioglitazone/glimepiride was approved for medical use in the United States in July 2006, and in the European Union in January 2007. [1] [3] [4]
In the United States pioglitazone/glimepiride is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are already treated with a thiazolidinedione and sulfonylurea or who have inadequate glycemic control on a thiazolidinedione alone or a sulfonylurea alone. [2] [3] [5]
In the European Union pioglitazone/glimepiride is indicated for the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who show intolerance to metformin or for whom metformin is contraindicated and who are already treated with a combination of pioglitazone and glimepiride. [1]