Actos (Pioglitazone)

Description

Actos is a brand name for pioglitazone, a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. Actos must be consumed alongside a healthy living pattern to control elevated blood sugar levels.

 

Drug Information

 

The active ingredient in Actos is pioglitazone, an antidiabetic that can normalize blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where there is more glucose (sugar) in blood than the body can control. The body regulates blood sugar levels with a substance called insulin produced by the pancreas. When the blood sugar level is higher than normal, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to target all the sugar, which can lead to severe medical complications including, but not limited to, kidney disease and neurological problems.

 

Actos is only effective against type 2 diabetes, and not type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, a separate condition where the body cannot produce insulin. Actos could possibly be harmful for patients with type 1 diabetes.

 

Actos is sometimes prescribed in combination with other diabetic medications such as glyburide and metformin.

 

Actos cannot “cure” diabetes. A healthy diet and a regular exercise plan are essential for managing and preventing type 2 diabetes.

 

Actos tablets are available in 15 mg, 30 mg and 45 mg doses.

 

Other ingredients in Actos tablets include lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, and magnesium stearate.

 

Dosage

 

Actos dosage varies depending on age, weight, severity of the condition and physician recommendation.

 

Actos is usually prescribed to be taken once a day, either with or without meals.

 

Actos dosage may need adjusting if the body experiences physical stress as in the cases of injury (including surgery) or infection.

 

Take Actos exactly as prescribed by a physician. Do not take more or less than instructed as it can exacerbate side effects or leave the condition untreated.

 

Precautions

 

 Do not take Actos if you have any allergies to the medication’s contents.

 

 Actos may not be safe for patients with the following conditions: a history of serious heart failure, bladder cancer, liver problems, type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis and back-eye swelling.

 

 Do not take Actos if pregnant or breastfeeding without consulting a physician first.

 

 Actos could increase the chance of becoming pregnant in premenopausal women.

 

 Actos may dangerously interact with certain other drugs. Disclose all medications, including non-prescription ones such as herbal supplements, being administered to the prescribing doctor.

 

 Hypoglycemia, a condition where blood sugar is too low, could occur if Actos is taken with other diabetic medication.

 

Side Effects

 

 

 

Actos could result in severe side effects. See below for common side effects caused by Actos.

 

 Flu-like symptoms (upper respiratory tract infection)
 Headache
 Sinus infection
 Muscle pain
 Sore throat
 Weight gain

 

Actos can cause the body tissue to retain fluids, a condition medically known as edema, which can lead to severe heart failure.

 

Severe side effects of Actos that require immediate medical attention include shortness of breath, feeling more tired than usual, swelling in ankles or legs, blurred vision, trouble urinating, bone fractures, and rapid increase in weight.

 

Side effects are not limited to the above.