Pioglitazone

Generic name: Pioglitazone (oral)
Brand names: Actos
Dosage form: oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg)
Drug class: Thiazolidinediones

Usage of Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pioglitazone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pioglitazone and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of liver damage: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Pioglitazone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, rapid weight gain;

pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, new or worsening urge to urinate;

changes in your vision; or

sudden unusual pain in your hand, arm, or foot.

Some people taking pioglitazone have had bladder cancer, but it is not clear if pioglitazone was the actual cause.

Common side effects of pioglitazone may include:

headache;

muscle pain; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Pioglitazone

You should not use pioglitazone if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have:

severe or uncontrolled heart failure; or

diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

congestive heart failure or heart disease;

a heart attack or stroke;

eye problems caused by diabetes;

bladder cancer; or

liver disease.

Pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, but not treating your diabetes can also damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Pioglitazone may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

Women may be more likely to have a broken bone while using pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Pioglitazone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Pioglitazone

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

-Patients without congestive heart failure: Initial dose: 15 mg or 30 mg orally once a day-Patients with congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class I or II): Initial dose: 15 mg orally once a dayMaintenance dose: 15 mg to 45 mg orally once a day based on glycemic response as determined by HbA1cMaximum dose: 45 mg orally once a dayComments:-This drug exerts its antihyperglycemic effect only in the presence of endogenous insulin and therefore is not expected to be effective in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis. -Patients concomitantly receiving an insulin secretagogue or insulin may need to reduce the dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin if hypoglycemia occurs. Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings

Warnings

Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, or rapid weight gain.

What other drugs will affect Pioglitazone

Tell your doctor if you use insulin. Taking pioglitazone while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Many drugs can affect pioglitazone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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