Actos (Pioglitazone)

What is Actos?

Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral anti-diabetic medicine (thiazolidinedione-type, also known as ‘glitazones’).

What is Actos used for?

Actos is indicated for the treatment of high blood sugar levels in patients with type2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent-diabetes). Controlled blood sugar helps prevent blindness, kidney damage, loss of limbs, nerve problems and sexual disorders. It may also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

How does Actos work?

Actos works by restoring body’s response to naturally-produced insulin and thus lowering blood sugar.

How to use Actos

Actos should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

The drug is usually taken once daily, with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Get your blood tested on a regular basis. You may also need a regular eye exam while using this drug.

Actos warnings and precautions

Do not take Actos if you have type1 diabetes or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Prior to taking Actos, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, congestive heart failure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.

Avoid drinking alcohol while using Actos as it lowers blood sugar and enhances the risk of hypoglycemia.

Women who have not had their menstrual periods for a long time, due to certain medical conditions, may start having periods again. Since this has a direct connection with pregnancy, you may need effective birth control pills.

It is not known if the drug is harmful to an unborn baby. Thus, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor in advance. Lactating women should not use this drug without consulting their doctors.

What do I do if I have missed a Actos dose?

If you have missed your Actos dose you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Actos overdose?

If you have taken an Actos overdose you should seek medical attention.

Actos interactions

Before taking Actos, consult your doctor if you are taking drugs like nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), furosemide (Lasix), rifampin (Rifadin), midazolam (Versed) or gemfibrozil (Lopid). Such drugs can interact with Actos.

If you take Actos with other drugs that increase blood sugar, you may get hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Therefore avoid taking those drugs with Actos. List of such drugs include diuretics (water pills), isoniazid, steroids (prednisone), thyroid medicine (Synthroid), birth control pills, phenothiazines (Compazine), seizure medicines (Dilantin), diet pills, or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you use Actos with other drugs that lower blood sugar. A list of these drugs include sulfa drugs (Bactrim), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or other salicylates, beta-blockers (Tenormin) or probenecid (Benemid).

Do not start taking any new medicine without

Actos side effects

Actos side effects include hives, breathing difficulty, fever, chills, mild exertion, nausea, weight gain, pain in stomach or chest, blurred vision, loss of appetite or increased hunger, weight gain, increased thirst, increased frequency of urination, pale skin, bruising, bleeding, jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stool; swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Actos, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor.

Runny nose, sneezing, cough or other symptoms of cold; muscle pain, headache, and tooth problems are some less serious side effects of Actos.