About Pioglitazone (Actos)
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
A generic prescription medication called Pioglitazone is used to treat type 2 diabetes and helps your body become more responsive to the insulin already present in it. It belongs to the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class and is sold under the trade name Actos.
What is Actos used for?
Along with a nutritious diet and regular exercise, Pioglitazone treats type 2 diabetes to help you better regulate your blood sugar levels.
How does Pioglitazone work?
Insulin Resistance – A person’s muscle, fat, and liver cells may not respond appropriately to insulin; as a result, the body cannot easily absorb glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. As a result, the body requires higher levels of insulin. This condition is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your body’s cells do not respond to insulin in the blood as they should.
Pioglitazone belongs to a class of medications known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs for short helps to improve insulin resistance. TZDs are also known as insulin-sensitizing chemicals because they strengthen your body’s response to insulin. In addition, TZD controls the genes involved in the body’s regulation of the breakdown of fat and sugar and reduces gluconeogenesis, or the liver’s production of sugar from food, which lowers blood sugar levels.
Actos does not cause your body to produce more insulin; as a result, it can rarely cause hypoglycemia.
There are the two types of TZDs in market
How to take Pioglitazone medication?
Always adhere to your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor will determine your dosage. Above all else, always abide by your doctor’s advice.
Take Pioglitazone is generally taken once a day with or without meals. Only change your dosage or schedule after consulting your doctor.
To avoid hypoglycemia – low blood sugar, you’ll need to check your blood sugar frequently, and your doctor might order additional blood tests.
Always carry a supply of sugar on you in case your blood sugar drops. A glucagon emergency injection kit can be prescribed by your doctor, who can also instruct you on how to use it.
Constantly monitor your blood sugar levels, especially if you drink alcohol, skip meals, are stressed out, are sick, are traveling, had surgery, or underwent other medical procedures. All these factors can impact your blood sugar levels, which means your dosage requirements may alter.
Pioglitazone is just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, monitored weight management, ongoing blood sugar monitoring, and, in certain circumstances, specialized medical care.
What is the Pioglitazone dosage?
The recommended dosage of Pioglitazone is the once-a-day tablet, with or without food. Medicine should be taken regularly and at the same time daily. Typically, the initial dosage is 15 mg once daily, and if there is inadequate glycemic control, the dose can be changed by 15 mg increments up to a maximum of 45 mg once daily.
Patients with NYHA Class I or II (New York Heart Association Class I or II) heart failure will be limited to 15 mg daily.
Warnings and Precautions while using Pioglitazone
This medication should not be used by patients who:
- Are allergic to Pioglitazone or any other ingredients.
- Have or have had heart problems or heart failure.
- Have severe liver damage.
- Have or have had bladder cancer.
- Have blood or a red color in their urine.
- Are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant
- Metformin or other with insulin treatment, sulfonylureas
- You risk experiencing low blood sugar if you take Actos along with Sulfonylurea. Ask your doctor about common blood sugar signs and what to do if your blood sugar goes too low.
- Are minors under the age of 18.
Pioglitazone Side effects
Common negative effects:
- Edema (fluid retention or swelling)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Increased weight
Less common negative effects
- Liver problems
- Breakthrough bleeding (unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting)
- Blurred vision (due to swelling [or fluid] in the back of the eye)
- Fractures
Serious side effects may include
- Heart failure
- Liver problems
- Bladder cancer
- Pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Immediately contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, edema, weakness, and unexpected weight gain
- Have any signs of heart failure.
- Fatigue, a lack of appetite, yellowing of the skin or the white of the eye, or black urine are all signs of liver issues.
- Increased urination, pain during urination, and blood or a reddish tint to your urine (are all signs of bladder cancer).
Discuss any adverse effect that bothers you or does not go away with your healthcare professional. These are not the only negative consequences that could occur. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. It is the most common form of diabetes and can affect people of all ages. It is caused either when the body does not produce enough insulin or when the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin produced. Type 2 diabetes can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes can include excessive thirst and hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent urination, and slow healing of cuts and wounds. If untreated, Type 2 diabetes can cause serious health complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. Therefore, it is essential to manage your diabetes to help prevent these complications. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes typically includes lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, oral medications, and insulin injections to help manage blood sugar levels.
Remember that regular physical exercise is crucial to treating diabetes or managing prediabetes, along with your diet planning, weight management, and medications. Because your cells become more responsive to insulin while you are active, your blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can be lowered more successfully. Take your medications regularly and follow up with your healthcare specialist.