The peroxisome proliferator activator receptor gamma (PPAR-y) agonist pioglitazone is commonly used worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recently, there has been some concern regarding the association of this agent with the development of bladder malignancy .
A few retrospective studies, principally based on diabetes registries and adverse event reporting systems, have shown a small increase in the incidence of this form of malignancy in patients , particularly males, who are on pioglitazone.1 These concerns have led to the suspension of marketing of pioglitazone in France and a recommendation to avoid initiating the drug on new patients in Germany. The USFDA has recommended that a warning be added to the drug prescribing information for pioglitazone in order to reflect this new concern.2 To date, there have been no reports of bladder cancer among pioglitazone users in India.…
