Pioglitazone (Page 2 of 8)
5.4 Fractures
In PROactive (the Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events), 5238 patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of macrovascular disease were randomized to pioglitazone tablets (N=2605), force-titrated up to 45 mg daily or placebo (N=2633) in addition to standard of care. During a mean follow-up of 34.5 months, the incidence of bone fracture in females was 5.1% (44/870) for pioglitazone tablets versus 2.5% (23/905) for placebo. This difference was noted after the first year of treatment and persisted during the course of the study. The majority of fractures observed in female patients were nonvertebral fractures including lower limb and distal upper limb. No increase in the incidence of fracture was observed in men treated with pioglitazone tablets (1.7%) versus placebo (2.1%). The risk of fracture should be considered in the care of patients, especially female patients, treated with pioglitazone tablets and attention should be given to assessing and maintaining bone health according to current standards of care.
5.5 Urinary Bladder Tumors
Tumors were observed in the urinary bladder of male rats in the two-year carcinogenicity study [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . In two 3-year trials in which pioglitazone tablets were compared to placebo or glyburide, there were 16/3656 (0.44%) reports of bladder cancer in patients taking pioglitazone tablets compared to 5/3679 (0.14%) in patients not taking pioglitazone tablets. After excluding patients in whom exposure to study drug was less than one year at the time of diagnosis of bladder cancer, there were six (0.16%) cases on pioglitazone tablets and two (0.05%) cases on placebo.
A five-year interim report of an ongoing 10-year observational cohort study found a non-significant increase in the risk for bladder cancer in subjects ever exposed to pioglitazone tablets, compared to subjects never exposed to pioglitazone tablets (HR 1.2 [95% CI 0.9 – 1.5]). Compared to never exposure, a duration of pioglitazone tablets therapy longer than 12 months was associated with an increase in risk (HR 1.4 [95% CI 0.9 – 2.1]), which reached statistical significance after more than 24 months of pioglitazone tablets use (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.03 – 2.0]). Interim results from this study suggested that taking pioglitazone tablets longer than 12 months increased the relative risk of developing bladder cancer in any given year by 40% which equates to an absolute increase of three cases in 10,000 (from approximately seven in 10,000 [without pioglitazone tablets] to approximately 10 in 10,000 [with pioglitazone tablets]).
There are insufficient data to determine whether pioglitazone is a tumor promoter for urinary bladder tumors. Consequently, pioglitazone tablets should not be used in patients with active bladder cancer and the benefits of glycemic control versus unknown risks for cancer recurrence with pioglitazone tablets should be considered in patients with a prior history of bladder cancer.
5.6 Hypoglycemia
Patients receiving pioglitazone tablets in combination with insulin or other anti-diabetic medications (particularly insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas) may be at risk for hypoglycemia. A reduction in the dose of the concomitant antidiabetic medication may be necessary to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
5.7 Macular Edema
Macular edema has been reported in postmarketing experience in diabetic patients who were taking pioglitazone tablets or another thiazolidinedione. Some patients presented with blurred vision or decreased visual acuity, but others were diagnosed on routine ophthalmologic examination.
Most patients had peripheral edema at the time macular edema was diagnosed. Some patients had improvement in their macular edema after discontinuation of the thiazolidinedione.
Patients with diabetes should have regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist according to current standards of care. Patients with diabetes who report any visual symptoms should be promptly referred to an ophthalmologist, regardless of the patient’s underlying medications or other physical findings [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
5.8 Ovulation
Therapy with pioglitazone tablets, like other thiazolidinediones, may result in ovulation in some premenopausal anovulatory women. As a result, these patients may be at an increased risk for pregnancy while taking pioglitazone tablets [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. This effect has not been investigated in clinical trials, so the frequency of this occurrence is not known. Adequate contraception in all premenopausal women treated with pioglitazone tablets is recommended.
5.9 Macrovascular Outcomes
There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with pioglitazone tablets or any other antidiabetic drug.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling:
- •
- Congestive heart failure [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
- •
- Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
- •
- Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
6.1 Clinical Studies Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Over 8500 patients with type 2 diabetes have been treated with pioglitazone tablets in randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials, including 2605 patients with type 2 diabetes and macrovascular disease treated with pioglitazone tablets in the PROactive clinical trial. In these trials, over 6000 patients have been treated with pioglitazone tablets for six months or longer, over 4500 patients have been treated with pioglitazone tablets for one year or longer, and over 3000 patients have been treated with pioglitazone tablets for at least two years.
In six pooled 16- to 26-week placebo-controlled monotherapy and 16- to 24-week add-on combination therapy trials, the incidence of withdrawals due to adverse events was 4.5% for patients treated with pioglitazone tablets and 5.8% for comparator-treated patients. The most common adverse events leading to withdrawal were related to inadequate glycemic control, although the incidence of these events was lower (1.5%) with pioglitazone tablets than with placebo (3.0%).
In the PROactive trial, the incidence of withdrawals due to adverse events was 9.0% for patients treated with pioglitazone tablets and 7.7% for placebo-treated patients. Congestive heart failure was the most common serious adverse event leading to withdrawal occurring in 1.3% of patients treated with pioglitazone tablets and 0.6% of patients treated with placebo.
Common Adverse Events: 16- to 26-Week Monotherapy Trials
A summary of the incidence and type of common adverse events reported in three pooled 16- to 26-week placebo-controlled monotherapy trials of pioglitazone tablets is provided in Table 1. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly in patients treated with pioglitazone tablets than in patients who received placebo. None of these adverse events were related to pioglitazone tablets dose.
Table 1. Three Pooled 16- to 26-Week Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials of Pioglitazone Tablets Monotherapy: Adverse Events Reported at an Incidence >5% and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets than in Patients Treated with Placebo | ||
---|---|---|
% of Patients | ||
Placebo N=259 | Pioglitazone Tablets N=606 | |
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | 8.5 | 13.2 |
Headache | 6.9 | 9.1 |
Sinusitis | 4.6 | 6.3 |
Myalgia | 2.7 | 5.4 |
Pharyngitis | 0.8 | 5.1 |
Common Adverse Events: 16- to 24-Week Add-on Combination Therapy Trials
A summary of the overall incidence and types of common adverse events reported in trials of pioglitazone tablets add-on to sulfonylurea is provided in Table 2. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly with the highest tested dose of pioglitazone tablets.
Table 2. 16- to 24-Week Clinical Trials of Pioglitazone Tablets Add-on to Sulfonylurea | |||
---|---|---|---|
16-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea than in Patients Treated with Placebo + Sulfonylurea | |||
% of Patients | |||
Placebo + Sulfonylurea N=187 | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg + Sulfonylurea N=184 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=189 | |
Edema | 2.1 | 1.6 | 12.7 |
Headache | 3.7 | 4.3 | 5.3 |
Flatulence | 0.5 | 2.7 | 6.3 |
Weight Increased | 0 | 2.7 | 5.3 |
24-Week Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Sulfonylurea than in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea | |||
% of Patients | |||
Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 | ||
Hypoglycemia | 13.4 | 15.7 | |
Edema | 10.5 | 23.1 | |
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | 12.3 | 14.8 | |
Weight Increased | 9.1 | 13.4 | |
Urinary Tract Infection | 5.7 | 6.8 | |
Note: The preferred terms of edema peripheral, generalized edema, pitting edema and fluid retention were combined to form the aggregate term of “edema.” |
A summary of the overall incidence and types of common adverse events reported in trials of pioglitazone tablets add-on to metformin is provided in Table 3. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly with the highest tested dose of pioglitazone tablets.
Table 3. 16- to 24-Week Clinical Trials of Pioglitazone Tablets Add-on to Metformin | ||
---|---|---|
16-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets + Metformin than in Patients Treated with Placebo + Metformin | ||
% of Patients | ||
Placebo + Metformin N=160 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Metformin N=168 | |
Edema | 2.5 | 6.0 |
Headache | 1.9 | 6.0 |
24-Week Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Metformin than in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Metformin | ||
% of Patients | ||
Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Metformin N=411 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Metformin N=416 | |
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | 12.4 | 13.5 |
Edema | 5.8 | 13.9 |
Headache | 5.4 | 5.8 |
Weight Increased | 2.9 | 6.7 |
Note: The preferred terms of edema peripheral, generalized edema, pitting edema and fluid retention were combined to form the aggregate term of “edema.” |
Table 4 summarizes the incidence and types of common adverse events reported in trials of pioglitazone tablets add-on to insulin. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly with the highest tested dose of pioglitazone tablets.
Table 4. 16- to 24-Week Clinical Trials of Pioglitazone Tablets Add-on to Insulin | |||
---|---|---|---|
16-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin than in Patients Treated with Placebo + Insulin | |||
% of Patients | |||
Placebo + Insulin N=187 | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg + Insulin N=191 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin N=188 | |
Hypoglycemia | 4.8 | 7.9 | 15.4 |
Edema | 7.0 | 12.6 | 17.6 |
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | 9.6 | 8.4 | 14.9 |
Headache | 3.2 | 3.1 | 6.9 |
Weight Increased | 0.5 | 5.2 | 6.4 |
Back Pain | 4.3 | 2.1 | 5.3 |
Dizziness | 3.7 | 2.6 | 5.3 |
Flatulence | 1.6 | 3.7 | 5.3 |
24-Week Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients and More Commonly in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Insulin than in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin | |||
% of Patients | |||
Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin N=345 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Insulin N=345 | ||
Hypoglycemia | 43.5 | 47.8 | |
Edema | 22.0 | 26.1 | |
Weight Increased | 7.2 | 13.9 | |
Urinary Tract Infection | 4.9 | 8.7 | |
Diarrhea | 5.5 | 5.8 | |
Back Pain | 3.8 | 6.4 | |
Blood Creatine Phosphokinase Increased | 4.6 | 5.5 | |
Sinusitis | 4.6 | 5.5 | |
Hypertension | 4.1 | 5.5 | |
Note: The preferred terms of edema peripheral, generalized edema, pitting edema and fluid retention were combined to form the aggregate term of “edema.” |
A summary of the overall incidence and types of common adverse events reported in the PROactive trial is provided in Table 5. Terms that are reported represent those that occurred at an incidence of >5% and more commonly in patients treated with pioglitazone tablets than in patients who received placebo.
Table 5. PROactive Trial: Incidence and Types of Adverse Events Reported in >5% of Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets and More Commonly than Placebo | ||
---|---|---|
% of Patients | ||
Placebo N=2633 | Pioglitazone Tablets N=2605 | |
Hypoglycemia | 18.8 | 27.3 |
Edema | 15.3 | 26.7 |
Cardiac Failure | 6.1 | 8.1 |
Pain in Extremity | 5.7 | 6.4 |
Back Pain | 5.1 | 5.5 |
Chest Pain | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Mean duration of patient follow-up was 34.5 months. |
Congestive Heart Failure
A summary of the incidence of adverse events related to congestive heart failure is provided in Table 6 for the 16- to 24-week add-on to sulfonylurea trials, for the 16- to 24-week add-on to insulin trials, and for the 16- to 24-week add-on to metformin trials. None of the events were fatal.
Table 6. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets or Placebo Added on to a Sulfonylurea | |||||
Number (%) of Patients | |||||
Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) | Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial (24 weeks) | ||||
Placebo + Sulfonylurea N=187 | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg + Sulfonylurea N=184 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=189 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Sulfonylurea N=351 | |
At least one congestive heart failure event | 2 (1.1%) | 0 | 0 | 1 (0.3%) | 6 (1.7%) |
Hospitalized | 2 (1.1%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (0.6%) |
Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets or Placebo Added on to Insulin | |||||
Number (%) of Patients | |||||
Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) | Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial (24 weeks) | ||||
Placebo + Insulin N=187 | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg + Insulin N=191 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin N=188 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Insulin N=345 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Insulin N=345 | |
At least one congestive heart failure event | 0 | 2 (1.0%) | 2 (1.1%) | 3 (0.9%) | 5 (1.4%) |
Hospitalized | 0 | 2 (1.0%) | 1 (0.5%) | 1 (0.3%) | 3 (0.9%) |
Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets or Placebo Added on to Metformin | |||||
Number (%) of Patients | |||||
Placebo-Controlled Trial (16 weeks) | Non-Controlled Double-Blind Trial (24 weeks) | ||||
Placebo + Metformin N=160 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Metformin N=168 | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg + Metformin N=411 | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg + Metformin N=416 | ||
At least one congestive heart failure event | 0 | 1 (0.6%) | 0 | 1 (0.2%) | |
Hospitalized | 0 | 1 (0.6%) | 0 | 1 (0.2%) |
Patients with type 2 diabetes and NYHA class II or early class III congestive heart failure were randomized to receive 24 weeks of double-blind treatment with either pioglitazone tablets at daily doses of 30 mg to 45 mg (n=262) or glyburide at daily doses of 10 mg to 15 mg (n=256). A summary of the incidence of adverse events related to congestive heart failure reported in this study is provided in Table 7.
Table 7. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in Patients with NYHA Class II or III Congestive Heart Failure Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets or Glyburide | ||
---|---|---|
Number (%) of Subjects | ||
Pioglitazone Tablets N=262 | Glyburide N=256 | |
Death due to cardiovascular causes (adjudicated) | 5 (1.9%) | 6 (2.3%) |
Overnight hospitalization for worsening CHF (adjudicated) | 26 (9.9%) | 12 (4.7%) |
Emergency room visit for CHF (adjudicated) | 4 (1.5%) | 3 (1.2%) |
Patients experiencing CHF progression during study | 35 (13.4%) | 21 (8.2%) |
Congestive heart failure events leading to hospitalization that occurred during the PROactive trial are summarized in Table 8.
Table 8. Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in PROactive Trial | ||
---|---|---|
Number (%) of Patients | ||
Placebo N=2633 | Pioglitazone Tablets N=2605 | |
At least one hospitalized congestive heart failure event | 108 (4.1%) | 149 (5.7%) |
Fatal | 22 (0.8%) | 25 (1.0%) |
Hospitalized, nonfatal | 86 (3.3%) | 124 (4.7%) |
Cardiovascular Safety
In the PROactive trial, 5238 patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of macrovascular disease were randomized to pioglitazone tablets (N=2605), force-titrated up to 45 mg daily or placebo (N=2633) in addition to standard of care. Almost all patients (95%) were receiving cardiovascular medications (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, diuretics, aspirin, statins and fibrates). At baseline, patients had a mean age of 62 years, mean duration of diabetes of 9.5 years, and mean HbA1c of 8.1%. Mean duration of follow-up was 34.5 months.
The primary objective of this trial was to examine the effect of pioglitazone tablets on mortality and macrovascular morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were at high risk for macrovascular events. The primary efficacy variable was the time to the first occurrence of any event in a cardiovascular composite endpoint that included all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) including silent MI, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, cardiac intervention including coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous intervention, major leg amputation above the ankle, and bypass surgery or revascularization in the leg. A total of 514 (19.7%) patients treated with pioglitazone tablets and 572 (21.7%) placebo-treated patients experienced at least one event from the primary composite endpoint (hazard ratio 0.90; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.80, 1.02; p=0.10).
Although there was no statistically significant difference between pioglitazone tablets and placebo for the three-year incidence of a first event within this composite, there was no increase in mortality or in total macrovascular events with pioglitazone tablets. The number of first occurrences and total individual events contributing to the primary composite endpoint is shown in Table 9.
Table 9. PROactive: Number of First and Total Events for Each Component within the Cardiovascular Composite Endpoint | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular Events | Placebo N=2633 | Pioglitazone Tablets N=2605 | ||
First Events n (%) | Total Events n | First Events n (%) | Total Events n | |
Any event | 572 (21.7) | 900 | 514 (19.7) | 803 |
All-cause mortality | 122 (4.6) | 186 | 110 (4.2) | 177 |
Nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) | 118 (4.5) | 157 | 105 (4.0) | 131 |
Stroke | 96 (3.6) | 119 | 76 (2.9) | 92 |
Acute coronary syndrome | 63 (2.4) | 78 | 42 (1.6) | 65 |
Cardiac intervention (CABG/PCI) | 101 (3.8) | 240 | 101 (3.9) | 195 |
Major leg amputation | 15 (0.6) | 28 | 9 (0.3) | 28 |
Leg revascularization | 57 (2.2) | 92 | 71 (2.7) | 115 |
CABG = coronary artery bypass grafting; PCI = percutaneous intervention |
Weight Gain
Dose-related weight gain occurs when pioglitazone tablets are used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications. The mechanism of weight gain is unclear but probably involves a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation.
Tables 10 and 11 summarize the changes in body weight with pioglitazone tablets and placebo in the 16- to 26-week randomized, double-blind monotherapy and 16- to 24-week combination add-on therapy trials and in the PROactive trial.
Table 10. Weight Changes (kg) from Baseline During Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trials | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control Group (Placebo) | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg | ||
Median (25th /75th percentile) | Median (25th /75th percentile) | Median (25th /75th percentile) | Median (25th /75th percentile) | ||
Monotherapy (16 to 26 weeks) | -1.4 (-2.7/0.0)N=256 | 0.9 (-0.5/3.4)N=79 | 1.0 (-0.9/3.4)N=188 | 2.6 (0.2/5.4)N=79 | |
Combination Therapy (16 to 24 weeks) | Sulfonylurea | -0.5 (-1.8/0.7)N=187 | 2.0 (0.2/3.2)N=183 | 3.1 (1.1/5.4)N=528 | 4.1 (1.8/7.3)N=333 |
Metformin | -1.4 (-3.2/0.3)N=160 | N/A | 0.9 (-1.3/3.2)N=567 | 1.8 (-0.9/5.0)N=407 | |
Insulin | 0.2 (-1.4/1.4)N=182 | 2.3 (0.5/4.3)N=190 | 3.3 (0.9/6.3)N=522 | 4.1 (1.4/6.8)N=338 |
Table 11. Median Change in Body Weight in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets Versus Patients Treated with Placebo During the Double-Blind Treatment Period in the PROactive Trial | ||
---|---|---|
Placebo | Pioglitazone Tablets | |
Median (25th /75th percentile) | Median (25th /75th percentile) | |
Change from baseline to final visit (kg) | -0.5 (-3.3, 2.0)N=2581 | +3.6 (0.0, 7.5)N=2560 |
Note: Median exposure for both pioglitazone tablets and Placebo was 2.7 years. |
Edema
Edema induced from taking pioglitazone tablets is reversible when pioglitazone tablets are discontinued. The edema usually does not require hospitalization unless there is coexisting congestive heart failure. A summary of the frequency and types of edema adverse events occurring in clinical investigations of pioglitazone tablets is provided in Table 12.
Table 12. Adverse Events of Edema in Patients Treated with Pioglitazone Tablets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number (%) of Patients | |||||
Placebo | Pioglitazone Tablets 15 mg | Pioglitazone Tablets 30 mg | Pioglitazone Tablets 45 mg | ||
Monotherapy (16 to 26 weeks) | 3 (1.2%)N=259 | 2 (2.5%)N= 81 | 13 (4.7%)N= 275 | 11 (6.5%)N=169 | |
Combined Therapy (16 to 24 weeks) | Sulfonylurea | 4 (2.1%)N=187 | 3 (1.6%)N=184 | 61 (11.3%)N=540 | 81 (23.1%)N=351 |
Metformin | 4 (2.5%)N=160 | N/A | 34 (5.9%)N=579 | 58 (13.9%)N=416 | |
Insulin | 13 (7.0%)N=187 | 24 (12.6%)N=191 | 109 (20.5%)N=533 | 90 (26.1%)N=345 | |
Note: The preferred terms of edema peripheral, generalized edema, pitting edema and fluid retention were combined to form the aggregate term of “edema.” |
Table 13. Adverse Events of Edema in Patients in the PROactive Trial | |
---|---|
Number (%) of Patients | |
Placebo N=2633 | Pioglitazone Tablets N=2605 |
419 (15.9%) | 712 (27.3%) |
Note: The preferred terms of edema peripheral, generalized edema, pitting edema and fluid retention were combined to form the aggregate term of “edema.” |
Hepatic Effects
There has been no evidence of induced hepatotoxicity with pioglitazone tablets in the pioglitazone tablets controlled clinical trial database to date. One randomized, double-blind 3-year trial comparing pioglitazone tablets to glyburide as add-on to metformin and insulin therapy was specifically designed to evaluate the incidence of serum ALT elevation to greater than three times the upper limit of the reference range, measured every eight weeks for the first 48 weeks of the trial then every 12 weeks thereafter. A total of 3/1051 (0.3%) patients treated with pioglitazone tablets and 9/1046 (0.9%) patients treated with glyburide developed ALT values greater than three times the upper limit of the reference range. None of the patients treated with pioglitazone tablets in the pioglitazone tablets controlled clinical trial database to date have had a serum ALT greater than three times the upper limit of the reference range and a corresponding total bilirubin greater than two times the upper limit of the reference range, a combination predictive of the potential for severe drug-induced liver injury.
Hypoglycemia
In the pioglitazone tablets clinical trials, adverse events of hypoglycemia were reported based on clinical judgment of the investigators and did not require confirmation with fingerstick glucose testing.
In the 16-week add-on to sulfonylurea trial, the incidence of reported hypoglycemia was 3.7% with pioglitazone tablets 30 mg and 0.5% with placebo. In the 16-week add-on to insulin trial, the incidence of reported hypoglycemia was 7.9% with pioglitazone tablets 15 mg, 15.4% with pioglitazone tablets 30 mg, and 4.8% with placebo.
The incidence of reported hypoglycemia was higher with pioglitazone tablets 45 mg compared to pioglitazone tablets 30 mg in both the 24-week add-on to sulfonylurea trial (15.7% vs. 13.4%) and in the 24-week add-on to insulin trial (47.8% vs. 43.5%).
Three patients in these four trials were hospitalized due to hypoglycemia. All three patients were receiving pioglitazone tablets 30 mg (0.9%) in the 24-week add-on to insulin trial. An additional 14 patients reported severe hypoglycemia (defined as causing considerable interference with patient’s usual activities) that did not require hospitalization. These patients were receiving pioglitazone tablets 45 mg in combination with sulfonylurea (n=2) or pioglitazone tablets 30 mg or 45 mg in combination with insulin (n=12).
Urinary Bladder Tumors
Tumors were observed in the urinary bladder of male rats in the two-year carcinogenicity study [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. In two 3-year trials in which pioglitazone tablets was compared to placebo or glyburide, there were 16/3656 (0.44%) reports of bladder cancer in patients taking pioglitazone tablets compared to 5/3679 (0.14%) in patients not taking pioglitazone tablets. After excluding patients in whom exposure to study drug was less than one year at the time of diagnosis of bladder cancer, there were six (0.16%) cases on pioglitazone tablets and two (0.05%) cases on placebo. There are too few events of bladder cancer to establish causality.
All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.