Generic name: pioglitazone (oral) [ PYE-o-GLIT-a-zone ]
Brand name: Actos
Dosage form: oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg)
Drug class: Thiazolidinediones

What is pioglitazone?

Pioglitazone is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. You should not use pioglitazone if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, or rapid weight gain.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled heart failure; or
• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure or heart disease;
• a heart attack or stroke;
• eye problems caused by diabetes;
• bladder cancer; or
• liver disease.

Pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, but not treating your diabetes can also damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Pioglitazone may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

Women may be more likely to have a broken bone while using pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Pioglitazone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take pioglitazone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Pioglitazone is usually taken once daily, with or without food.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Pioglitazone is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Pioglitazone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pioglitazone and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of liver damage: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, rapid weight gain;
• pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, new or worsening urge to urinate;
• changes in your vision; or
• sudden unusual pain in your hand, arm, or foot.

Some people taking pioglitazone have had bladder cancer, but it is not clear if pioglitazone was the actual cause.

Common side effects may include:

• headache;
• muscle pain; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat