The Rise and Fall of Rosiglitazone

Rosiglitazone is a member of the Thiazolidinedione class of drugs with a potent insulin sensitizing action. The drug has been extensively used and many early warnings on its potential risks were ignored mostly due to an aggressive commercial strategy. In 2007 some papers raised doubts on the cardiovascular safety of the drug and started a serious dispute. Irrespective of the real existence of this risk the story of Rosiglitazone led to the unveiling of many other side effects and emphasizes the need for a more accurate evaluation of any drug before is approved by the regulatory authority.