Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione used adjunctively with diet and exercise to normalize glycemic levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is administered as a racemic mixture, though there is no pharmacologic difference between the enantiomers and they appear to interconvert in vivo with little consequence.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
Pioglitazone is a selective agonist at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) in target tissues for insulin action such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. Activation of PPARγ increases the transcription of insulin-responsive genes involved in the control of glucose and lipid production, transport, and utilization. Through this mechanism, pioglitazone both enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin and reduces the hepatic production of glucose (i.e. gluconeogenesis) - insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus is therefore improved without an increase in insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells.
- Primary indication
- Pioglitazone is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Curator reviewed · 7 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C19H20N2O3S · 356.439 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2007 · United States, 1999 · European Union, 2016
- Code names
- AD-4833 · U-72107A
- Brand names
Resolves to
HYAFETHFCAUJAY-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCC1=CN=C(CCOC2=CC=C(CC3SC(=O)NC3=O)C=C2)C=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Pioglitazone, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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