LOBEGLITAZONE

Lobeglitazone is an oral medication belonging to the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of drugs. It acts as an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-?), primarily used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps improve insulin sensitivity and regulate glucose metabolism.

Indications

Lobeglitazone is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. It is typically prescribed as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients who are inadequately controlled with other antidiabetic medications or as monotherapy in patients who cannot tolerate other oral antidiabetic agents.

Dosage

The recommended starting dose of lobeglitazone is usually 0.5 mg or 0.9 mg taken orally once daily, with or without food. The dosage may be titrated based on individual patient response and tolerability, up to a maximum dose of 2.5 mg once daily.

Contra-Indications

Lobeglitazone is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components. It should not be used in patients with heart failure, severe hepatic impairment, or in pregnancy.

Special Precautions

Caution should be exercised when prescribing lobeglitazone to patients with a history of heart failure or edema, as TZDs have been associated with fluid retention and exacerbation of heart failure symptoms. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is recommended, especially in patients with hepatic impairment.

Side Effects

Common side effects of lobeglitazone include peripheral edema, weight gain, headache, nasopharyngitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. Less commonly, it may cause hypoglycemia, bone fractures, macular edema, or liver enzyme elevations.

Drug Interactions

Lobeglitazone may interact with other medications, including oral contraceptives, rifampicin, gemfibrozil, and certain antidiabetic agents such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Close monitoring and dose adjustments may be necessary when co-administering lobeglitazone with these drugs.