Pioglitazone



Actos®







Pioglitazone

(pye oh GLI ta zone)

U.S. Brand Names
Actos®
Canadian Brand Names
Actos®
Pharmacologic Category
Antidiabetic Agent, Thiazolidinedione
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to pioglitazone or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have active liver disease or yellowing skin or eyes during troglitazone therapy.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to lower blood sugar in diabetic patients.
How does it work?
  • Pioglitazone increases insulin activity in the body.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medicine.
  • Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Risk of pregnancy in females of childbearing age who have not been ovulating.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Headache.
  • Swelling.
  • Weight gain.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Check blood work (liver function, cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Have a yearly eye exam and visit to the foot doctor.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Not hungry.
  • Significant weight gain.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from heat.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: