Authors' objectives:

The aims of this report are:

1. To evaluate the evidence that compares rosiglitazone or pioglitazone with other oral anti-diabetic agents (including insulin), either when used alone or when added to a non-thiazolidionedione agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

2. To determine the impact of listing thiazolidinediones on the budget of provincial drug plans in Canada.

Authors' recommendations: When used alone, both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have effects similar to comparator drugs on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), based on the findings from a small number of comparative trials. When added to another anti-diabetic agent, the effect on HbA1c and FPG is significantly greater than continuing therapy with the other anti-diabetic agent alone. This is consistent with the work of others that shows combining two anti-diabetic agents provides a greater effect than using one alone. Both drugs were generally well tolerated during the trials reviewed; only a few cases of heart failure and severe hypoglycemia (when added to another agent) were reported. No liver toxicity was observed. Long-term trials are required to evaluate their effect on the development of diabetic complications and long-term safety.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)