• ABSTRACT
    • In Europe, the thiazolidinedione derivatives pioglitazone and rosiglitazone have been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus either as monotherapy for patients with intolerance or contraindications to metformin or in combination therapy. This class of drugs seems particularly suited for obese patients, but is currently not considered as a first choice for monotherapy. The efficacy with respect to blood glucose lowering is comparable with sulphonylurea (SU) derivatives and with metformin. Long-term data with respect to efficacy and side effects are still limited.