Actos (Pioglitazone) is a member of the family of medications known as thiazolidinediones. It is used to lower high blood sugar associated with type 2 diabetes. Thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone help insulin to work more effectively. Thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone help insulin to work more effectively. By keeping blood sugar at a desired level, this medication can help to prevent or delay the long-term problems associated with uncontrolled high blood sugar (e.g, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve problems, heart disease). Pioglitazone may be used alone when blood sugar is not controlled only by diet and exercise or in combination with one other diabetes medication, including metformin and the sulfonylureas (e.g, glyburide, gliclazide). Pioglitazone should start lowering your blood sugar shortly after you begin taking it. The usual starting dose for adults is 15mg or 30mg taken once daily with or without food, at the same time each day. Patients should continue with their diet and exercise programs while taking this medication.
Manufacturer Information
We currently have the brand from Turkey and the brand from UK manufactured by Eli Lilly. The generic Pioglitazone is also called P Glitz manufactured by Cipla or called Pioneer from other suppliers in India. Actos is available in table form and strengths of: 15mg, 30mg, and 45mg.
Stop using pioglitazone and contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects:
• Blurred vision;
• Chest pain, general ill feeling;
• Feeling short of breath;
• Increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual;
• Pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• Nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, jaundice;
• Stomach pain, blood in your urine;
• Swelling or rapid weight gain
Less serious side effects of pioglitazone may include:
• Back pain;
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat;
• Gradual weight gain;
• Headache;
• Muscle pain;
• Tooth problems
Actos can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath, swelling, or rapid weight gain. You should not use Actos if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure or bladder cancer. It is unknown whether Actos will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is unknown whether pioglitazone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medication. There may be an interaction between pioglitazone and other medications such as antidiabetes medications, birth control pills, corticosteroids, diuretics, gemfibrozil, ketoconazole, nifedipine, rifampicin.