Pioglitazone
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Pioglitazone
(pye oh gli' ta zone)
(pye oh gli' ta zone)
What makes the information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org different?
- We do not rely simply on drug package inserts and manufacturer claims.
- Our information about drug and safety, off-label uses, side effects and interactions is based on the best available clinical evidence -- the same information used by hospital pharmacists
Actos, ActoPLUSMet (as a combination product containing pioglitazone and metformin), Duetact (as a combination product containing pioglitazone and glimepiride)
Important warning
Pioglitazone and other similar medications for diabetes may cause or worsen congestive heart failure (condition in which the
heart is unable to pump enough blood to the other parts of the body). Before you start to take pioglitazone, tell your doctor
if you have or have ever had congestive heart failure, especially if your heart failure is so severe that you must limit your
activity and are only comfortable when you are at rest or you must remain in a chair or bed. Also tell your doctor if you
were born with a heart defect, and if you have or have ever had swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs;
heart disease; high cholesterol or fats in the blood; high blood pressure; coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood
vessels that lead to the heart); a heart attack; or an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor may tell you not to take pioglitazone
or may monitor you carefully during your treatment.
If you develop congestive heart failure, you may experience certain symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any
of the following symptoms, especially when you first start taking pioglitazone or after your dose is increased: large weight
gain in a short period of time; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; swelling or
pain in the stomach; waking up short of breath during the night; needing to sleep with extra pillows in order to breathe while
lying down; frequent dry cough; or increased tiredness.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking pioglitazone.
Pioglitazone is used with a diet and exercise program and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition
in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Pioglitazone
is in a class of medications called thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural
substance that helps control blood sugar levels. Pioglitazone is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the
body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a
serious condition that may develop if high blood sugar is not treated).
Pioglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without meals. Take pioglitazone at
around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take pioglitazone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it
more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of pioglitazone and gradually increase your dose.
Pioglitazone controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks for your blood sugar to decrease and several
weeks longer for you to feel the full effect of pioglitazone. Continue to take pioglitazone even if you feel well. Do not
stop taking pioglitazone without talking to your doctor.
This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to
do if you have these symptoms.
You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking this medication in combination with other medications
used to treat diabetes. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to
check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical
care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:
- shakiness
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- sweating
- nervousness or irritability
- sudden changes in behavior or mood
- headache
- numbness or tingling around the mouth
- weakness
- pale skin
- hunger
- clumsy or jerky movements
If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend
time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.
- confusion
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):
- extreme thirst
- frequent urination
- extreme hunger
- weakness
- blurred vision
If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Call
your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
- dry mouth
- upset stomach and vomiting
- shortness of breath
- breath that smells fruity
- decreased consciousness
Pioglitazone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- runny nose and other cold symptoms
- headache
- muscle pain
- tooth or mouth pain
- sore throat
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING
section, call your doctor immediately:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- excessive tiredness
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- blurred vision
- vision loss
In clinical studies, more people who took pioglitazone developed bladder cancer than people who did not take pioglitazone.
Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking this medication.
In clinical studies, more women who took pioglitazone developed fractures, especially of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, and
lower legs than women who did not take pioglitazone. Men who took pioglitazone did not have a greater risk of developing fractures
than men who did not take the medication. If you are a woman, talk to your doctor about the risk of taking this medication.
Pioglitazone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Before taking pioglitazone,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pioglitazone or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: atorvastatin (Lipitor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections), ketoconazole (Nizoral), midazolam, montelukast (Singulair), nifedipine (Procardia), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, in Rifamate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pioglitazone, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while you are taking pioglitazone.
- if you have not yet experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly periods) you should know that pioglitazone may increase the chance that you will become pregnant even if you do not have regular monthly periods or you have a condition that prevents you from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovaries). Talk to your doctor about methods of birth control that will work for you.
- if you will be having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking pioglitazone.
- ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, develop an infection or fever, experience unusual stress, or are injured. These conditions can affect your blood sugar and the amount of pioglitazone you may need.
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. It is important to eat a healthy
diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight if necessary. This will help to control your diabetes and help pioglitazone work
more effectively.
Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking
pioglitazone.
If you remember that same day, take the missed dose as soon as your remember it. However, if you do not remember until the
next day, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose in one day and do
not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature
and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing,
call local emergency services at 911.
Keep all appointments with your doctor, your eye doctor, and the laboratory. Your doctor will probably order regular eye examinations
and certain laboratory tests to check your body's response to pioglitazone. Your blood sugar and glycosolated hemoglobin should
be checked regularly to determine your response to pioglitazone. Your doctor will also tell you how to check your response
to pioglitazone by measuring your blood or urine sugar levels at home. Follow these directions carefully.
You should always wear a diabetic identification bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in an emergency.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines
you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list
with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with
you in case of emergencies.
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