Actoplus Met (Metformin)

Description

Actoplus Met is a combination drug that uses two antihyperglycemics—metformin hydrochloride and pioglitazone hydrochloride—to treat high blood sugar in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Drug Information

Diabetes mellitus type 2, commonly known as adult-onset diabetes, is a medical condition where the glucose (sugar) levels in blood are higher than normal for the body to control. The pancreas produces a natural substance called insulin that regulates the glucose levels in the bloodstream. When these levels become too high, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to keep up with the demand. This condition causes serious health complications for patients, such as severe nerve damage or higher risk for strokes.

Type 2 diabetes is often treated with a combination of anti-diabetic medications, healthy diet and a regular exercise plan. Actoplus Met combines two drugs commonly prescribed to treat high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—metformin and pioglitazone. These drugs together can increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, decrease the amount of insulin produced by the liver and reduce the amount of glucose absorbed from food.

Normalizing elevated blood sugar levels puts patients at less risk for heart attacks or stroke, and prevents problems like sexual dysfunction and numbness of limbs.

Actoplus Met is available as tablets with doses of 15 mg pioglitazone in combination with 500 mg metformin, and 15 mg pioglitazone in combination with 850 mg metformin.

Physician prescriptions are required to obtain Actoplus Met.

Dosage

Dosage of Actoplus Met will depend on several factors such as the age of the patient, severity of the conditions, response to initial doses and physician recommendation.

Actoplus Met should be taken exactly as prescribed in regular doses. Do not take more or less than prescribed to avoid unpleasant health issues later.

Actoplus Met could cause upset stomachs, therefore it’s recommended to be taken with a meal. It’s highly recommended to take Actoplus Met the same time each day.

Blood sugar tests must be done regularly to determine the effectiveness of Actoplus Met.

Precautions

Do not take Actoplus Met if allergic to pioglitazone, metformin or any other ingredient in the drug.

Actoplus Met is not recommended for patients who have experienced severe heart failure. Pioglitazone, one of the active ingredients in Actoplus Met, causes body tissues to retain fluid in a condition known as edema, which puts patients at risk for heart problems.

Metformin, the other ingredient in Actoplus Met, can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.

Actoplus Met may not be safe for patients with following conditions: diabetic ketoacidosis, liver disease, heart disease, heart attack, kidney disease, stroke, or coma.

Actoplus Met may not for safe if pregnant, breastfeeding or attempting to get pregnant as the drug can potentially pass through the mother to an infant.

Side Effects

Actoplus Met could potentially cause one or more of the following side effects:

 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Upset stomach
 Diarrhea
 Tiredness
 Sore throat
 Muscle pain
 Weight gain
 Tooth problems
 Metallic taste in the mouth

Side effects are not limited to the above. Immediately seek medical care if side effects worsen or persist over time.