ACTOS (Pioglitazone) is a once-daily oral medication that with diet and exercise is proven effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. ACTOS helps control blood sugar levels in your body by reducing insulin resistance—a condition in which your body’s cells don’t respond to a hormone (called insulin) that allows them to turn blood sugar into energy.
Pioglitazone is a anti-diabetes medication taken once daily. It helps to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, controlling blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you:
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
you are allergic to Pioglitazone, any other medicine, foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances
you have swelling of the arms, legs, or feet
you have kidney or liver problems
you have heart problems
How to use:
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions
Advert to Medication Guide if necessary
Take your doses at regular intervals
If you miss a dose, take it with the next meal
Avoid taking double or extra doses
Safety issues:
Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress
Do not skip meals
Regularly check your blood sugar
Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you have serious symptoms of blood sugar
Medications that may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar:
water pills (diuretics)
thyroid hormones
alcohol containing beverages
ACE inhibitors
tegaserod
tacrolimus
antiretroviral protease inhibitors
sulfanomides, medicines for infection
aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
steroid medicines
baclofen
some herbal dietary supplement
beta-blockers
quinolone antibiotics
certain medicines used for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances
phenytoin
chromium
pentamidine
cisapride
clonidine
pentamidine
cyclosporine
octreotide
diazoxide
disopyramide
epinephrine
female hormones, such as birth control pills
nicotine
fibric acid derivatives
niacin
glucagon
medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
growth hormone (somatropin)
guanethidine
medications to suppress appetite or for weight loss
male hormones or anabolic steroids
lithium
isoniazid
metoclopramide
Possible side effects:
If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately:
swelling of the hands, legs, and feet
anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating
unusual tiredness or weakness
blurred vision
tremors or shakiness
breathing problems, such as rapid, deep breathing or difficulty breathing with activity
slow heartbeat
cold sweats, increased sweating
skin rash or hives
cool, pale skin
nausea, vomiting
dark yellow or brown urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin
muscle pain
drowsiness
diarrhea
These side effects usually don't require medical attention (but you should contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
weight gain
headache
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
