WHAT IS ACTOS?
ACTOS tablets are a thiazolidinedione and an agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma that contains an oral antidiabetic medication: pioglitazone.
ACTOS is available as a tablet for oral administration containing 15 mg, 30 mg, or 45 mg of pioglitazone (as the base) formulated with the following excipients: lactose monohydrate NF, hydroxypropylcellulose NF, carboxymethylcellulose calcium NF, and magnesium stearate NF.
Pioglitazone is a drug that reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs called thiazolidinedione’s that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The other member in this class is rosiglitazone (Avandia).
USE
Actos is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. It is used along with a healthy diabetic diet, regular exercise, weight control, smoking reduction, and careful monitoring of blood glucose. It may be used alone or in combination with metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet), a drug in a different class of anti-diabetic drugs, that also lowers blood glucose.
Pioglitazone should start lowering your blood sugar shortly after you begin taking it. The maximum lowering of blood sugar due to pioglitazone usually occurs about 14 weeks after starting it.
PRIOR TO TAKING ACTOS
You should not use Actos if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have:
Severe or uncontrolled heart failure; or diabetic ketoacidosis . This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
To make sure Actos is safe for you, 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. Actos 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.
HOW TO TAKE ACTOS?
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and if you are taking other diabetes drugs. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your blood sugar to find the best dose for you.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. If you are already taking another diabetes drug (such as metformin or a sulfonylurea), follow your doctor’s directions carefully for stopping/continuing the old drug and starting this medication.
Carefully follow the medication treatment plan, meal plan, and exercise program your doctor has recommended. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Keep track of the results, and share them with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar measurements are too high or too low. Your dosage/treatment may need to be changed. It may take up to 2 to 3 months before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.
SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects are cold-like symptoms, headache, sinus infection, muscle pain, and sore throat. More serious risks include congestive heart failure, bladder cancer, fractures, liver failure, swelling, low blood sugar, and eye problems.
STORAGE
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE TAKEN ACTOS OR A DRUG CONTAINING PIOGLITAZONE?
If you have been prescribed medicine for type 2 diabetes, chances are that at some point in time you took a drug containing pioglitazone. Check your medicine bottle and your written prescriptions to see if you are taking any of the combinations listed above. Contact your doctor or your pharmacy to find out if you have ever taken pioglitazone in the past.
Pioglitazone is a diabetes drug (thiazolidinedione-type, also called “glitazones”) used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It works by helping to restore your body’s proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
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