* Generic Name: pioglitazone hydrochloride
* Brand Name: Actos
* What is pioglitazone (Actos)?
* What are the possible side effects of pioglitazone (Actos)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
pioglitazone (Actos)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
pioglitazone (Actos)?
* How should I take pioglitazone (Actos)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Actos)?
* What happens if I overdose (Actos)?
* What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone (Actos)?
* What other drugs will affect pioglitazone (Actos)?
* Where can I get more information (Actos)?
What is pioglitazone (Actos)?
Pioglitazone is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control
blood sugar levels.
Pioglitazone is for people with type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone is
not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of pioglitazone (Actos)?
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).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), 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.
Common side effects 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.
What is the most important information I should know about pioglitazone
(Actos)?
You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled
heart failure, active bladder cancer, or diabetic
ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Stop
using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness
of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.
Actos Patient Information including How Should I Take
Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication
Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining
Diabetes Friendly Dining
RxList
Type 2 Diabetes Quiz
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pioglitazone
(Actos)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to pioglitazone,
or if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, active bladder
cancer, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment
with insulin).
To make sure pioglitazone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
* congestive heart failure or heart disease;
* fluid retention;
* a history of bladder cancer;
* a history of heart attack or stroke; or
* liver disease.
This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer.
Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
Taking pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other
organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating
your diabetes with pioglitazone.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using pioglitazone if you are
pregnant. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and
your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy.
Some women using pioglitazone have started having menstrual periods,
even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical
condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart.
Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.
Women may be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper
arm, hand, or foot while taking pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor if
you are concerned about this possibility.
It is not known whether pioglitazone passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this
medicine.
Pioglitazone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years
old.
How should I take pioglitazone (Actos)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
Pioglitazone is usually taken once daily. You may take the medicine
with or without food.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other
blood tests at your doctor's office.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes.
Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin,
irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating.
Keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar
sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and
non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to
help you in an emergency. If you have severe hypoglycemia and
cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can
prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use
it.
Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel,
illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you
drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose
levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change your
medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.
Use pioglitazone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your
prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Pioglitazone is only part of a treatment program that may also include
diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special
medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the
bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Actos Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication
Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining
Diabetes Friendly Dining
RxList
Type 2 Diabetes Quiz
What happens if I miss a dose (Actos)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Actos)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme
weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors,
stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone (Actos)?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with
your diabetes treatment.
What other drugs will affect pioglitazone (Actos)?
Tell your doctor if you use insulin. Taking pioglitazone while you are
using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
stop using, especially:
* gemfibrozil;
* rifampin; or
* other oral diabetes medications, such as acetohexamide,
chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, tolbutamide.
This list is not complete and many other medicines may increase or
decrease the effects of pioglitazone on lowering your blood sugar. This
includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Actos)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about pioglitazone.
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