Drug name
Actos (Pioglitazone)
Use Instruction
Actos is prescribed for treating type 2 diabetes in some patients. The medicine is used along with diet and exercise program. Actos may be prescribed for use alone as well as with other antidiabetic medicines.
Intake instructions
This medicine should be taken under your health care provider’s prescription and control. Please make sure to check the label on the medicine and find information concerning exact dosing.
This medicine should be taken by mouth with or without food.
Please take Actos on a standard schedule to achieve the most benefits from it and show improvement. Taking the medicine at the same times each day will help you aware from taking it.
Take Actos even if you show improvement. Make sure not to miss any doses.
Drug Category and Mechanism
Actos is a drug which works via decreasing of the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The medicine is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs, which is called "thiazolidinediones", they are used for the treatment of type II diabetes.
Actos also effects decreasing of the level of glucose in the blood by lowering the production and release of glucose into the blood by the liver. Moreover, actos may change the blood fixing of lipids (fats) in the blood. Definitely, it effects on triglycerides and makes the level of "good" (HDL) cholesterol higher.
Missed Dose
Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage when it is almost time for your next dose, you should better skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Please make sure to store this medicine at room temperature between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F).
Safety Precautions
Taking Actos is not recommended in case:
you have allergy to any component in Actos
you have mild to severe heart failure
you have type 1 diabetes
you have a recordings of liver problems, involving biliousness (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Please consult with your health care provider immediately if any of these safety tips are applicable to you.
There are certain medical conditions which may interact with Actos . Please inform your health care provider or pharmacist for in – depth info on medical conditions, especially if any of the provided conditions are applicable to you:
pregnant or planning to become
breast-feeding mothers
you are taking other medicines, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and any other herbal products
you have allergy to medicines, foods
you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), extreme liver performance tests, lung problems, hard breathing, congestive heart failure),
eye or vision troubles
swelling problems (edema)
Some MEDICINES MAY occur in INTERACTION with. Please make sure to inform your doctor of your intake of any other medicines, this is especially applicable to any of the following:
Gemfibrozil, insulin, as they increase the level of blood sugar
Rifampin as it can cause low levelling in Actos 's effectiveness,
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) as their effectiveness can be low levelled or the risk of their side effects may be high levelled by Actos
Probable Side Effects
All medicines may be reason for side effects, thus many people may undergo none, or minor, side effects. Please discuss with your health care provider if any of the mentioned most COMMON side effects afterglow or become or causing bother:
Headache; muscle pain; sore throat; weight increment.
Please make sure to see your health care provider if any of these austere side effects occur:
Certain allergic reactions (eruption; hives; itching; hard breathing; tenseness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; changes in vision; bone pain; pains in chest or uneasiness; dark urine; hard or painful urination; giddiness or lightheadedness; fainting; extreme or hard breathing; shiver; common feeling of being sick; muscle pain or attenuation; pallid stools; continual loss of appetite; severe or continual headache, aversion, or emesis; hard breathing; slow or abnormal heartbeat; unexpected unexplained weight gain; drowsiness, headache, tremors extreme feeling of hunger); extreme bone aches; uncommon tiredness or weakness.
Extra Information
An important note: This medicine is for you only. Sharing this medicine with others is not recommended.
Please necessarily visit your doctor in case you do not observe improvement in several days.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.