Pioglitazone

(pye oh GLI ta zone)

U.S. Brand Names

Actos®

Canadian Brand Names

Actos®; Apo-Pioglitazone; CO Pioglitazone; Gen-Pioglitazone; Novo-Pioglitazone; PMS-Pioglitazone; ratio-Pioglitazone; Sandoz-Pioglitazone; SPEF-Pioglitazone

Mexican Brand Names

Actos; Zactos

Pharmacologic Category

Antidiabetic Agent, Thiazolidinedione

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

This medicine may cause or worsen heart failure. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to pioglitazone or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Active liver disease, severely weakened heart, or yellowing skin or eyes during troglitazone therapy.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to lower blood sugar in diabetic patients.

How does it work?

• Pioglitazone increases insulin activity in the body.

How is it best taken?

• This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medicine.

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• If you are 80 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• Do not drive if blood sugar has been low. There is a greater risk of an accident.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Risk of pregnancy in females of childbearing age who have not been ovulating.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Low blood sugar. Signs include anger, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or orange juice on hand for low blood sugar.

• Headache.

• Swelling.

• Weight gain.

• Nasal irritation.

• Cough.

• Feeling tired or weak.

• Weakened bones.

• Heart failure can occur.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.

• Check blood work (liver function, cholesterol panel). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check weight weekly. Report a weight change to healthcare provider.

• Have a yearly eye exam and visit to the foot doctor.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Very low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.

• Severe belly pain.

• Swelling of legs or belly.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not hungry.

• Significant weight gain.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Sudden change in vision or in the way you see color.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from heat.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 15:06:52.0

Modified: 2008-01-31 09:22:25.0

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