Generic Actos

Actos is used for treating type 2 diabetes in certain patients. It is used along with diet and exercise. It may be used alone or with other antidiabetic medicines.

What is Actos?

Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.

Actos is for people with type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Actos may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
 
Important information about Actos

You should not use Actos if you are allergic to pioglitazone, if you have severe heart failure, if you have active bladder cancer, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Do not take Actos for longer than recommended. Taking this medication for longer than 1 year (12 months) may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Before taking Actos, 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.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Some women using Actos 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 also be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking Actos. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.

Certain oral diabetes medications 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 Actos.

Use Actos as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Actos by mouth with or without food.
Continue to take Actos even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Taking Actos at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Actos is a drug that reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs, called "thiazolidinediones", that are used in the treatment of type II diabetes.

Actos also lowers the level of glucose in the blood by reducing the production and secretion of glucose into the blood by the liver. In addition, actos may alter the blood concentrations of lipids (fats) in the blood. Specifically, it decreases triglycerides and increases the "good" (HDL) cholesterol.

Missed Dose

Actos is a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic. It lowers blood sugar by making the cells of the body more sensitive to the action of insulin.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F).

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Actos
• you have moderate to severe heart failure
• you have type 1 diabetes
• you have a history of liver problems, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), during therapy with a similar medicine called troglitazone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Actos . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (a severe problem associated with diabetes)
• if you have a history of liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or eye or vision problems
• if you have swelling problems (edema)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Actos . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Gemfibrozil, insulin, or oral antidiabetic medicines (eg, glipizide) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
• Rifampin because it may decrease Actos 's effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because their effectiveness may be decreased or the risk of their side effects may be increased by Actos.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; symptoms of heart failure (eg, shortness of breath; sudden unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes; unexplained nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; stomach pain); symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, anxiety, increased sweating, dizziness or drowsiness, headache, chills, tremors, increased hunger); unusual bone pain; unusual tiredness or weakness.