A 60-year-old man with type 2 diabetes is started on pioglitazone. The physician counsels him about a known serious adverse effect that led to restricted use of a similar drug (troglitazone). Which adverse effect is most associated with this drug class?
- A Acute pancreatitis
- B Aplastic anemia
- C Hepatotoxicity ✓
- D Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Correct answer: C. Hepatotoxicity
Explanation
Troglitazone was withdrawn due to severe hepatotoxicity. Pioglitazone carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity, though it is less severe than troglitazone. Acute pancreatitis is associated with GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors. Aplastic anemia and Stevens-Johnson are not characteristic adverse effects of thiazolidinediones.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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