Pioglitazone belongs to the drugs primarily reducing insulin resistance. Currently, it is the only insulin sensitizer available. In addition to hypoglycaemic action, it has a number of other metabolically beneficial effects that are responsible for its positive effect on the vascular wall. The paper provides an overview of cardiovascular clinical trials with pioglitazone, its safety profile and practical recommendations for its administration.
Keywords: bladder cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; heart failure; insulin resistance; pioglitazone.