Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance of peripheral tissues and reduced function of the insulin producing pancreatic beta cells. The thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone and the biguanide metformin are both effective in controlling glycemia, but each in a different way.
Rosiglitazone primarily enhances insulin susceptibility of tissues while metformin primarily prevents glucose production in the liver. The combination rosiglitazone/metformin at a daily dose of 8 mg/2 g proved more effective in reducing the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ) level compared to metformin alone dosed at 3 g daily.
The prescription in the Czech Republic is restricted to defined indications. The combination rosiglitazone/metformin was generally well tolerated in studies and the most frequently reported adverse effects were infections of the upper airways, diarrhoea and headache.