Pioglitazone

CAUTION:
Do not take quinapril if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking quinapril, call your doctor without delay. Quinapril may harm the fetus.

General Information and Indications:

Pioglitazone is used, alone or in combination with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet and exercise alone. Pioglitazone is in a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing your body's sensitivity to insulin, a substance your body produces to help control blood sugar levels.
 

Information For Users:

Pioglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with or without meals. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take pioglitazone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Pioglitazone controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. Continue taking pioglitazone even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking pioglitazone without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, troglitazone, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, other medications for type 2 diabetes, and vitamins or herbal products. Inform your doctor and pharmacist if your have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin).
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding heart failure, liver disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis), swollen ankles or feet (edema), high cholesterol, or a history of alcohol abuse.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pioglitazone, call your doctor without delay.
o you should know that pioglitazone can restart ovulation in women taking oral contraceptives or those with polycystic ovary disease. You are at risk for pregnancy if adequate birth control is not used. You should discuss a reliable form of birth control with your doctor. If you are taking birth control pills, your doctor may choose to adjust your dose.

Pioglitazone should be taken with the same meals every day. Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. Calorie reduction, weight loss, and exercise will help control your diabetes and will also make pioglitazone work better. It is important to eat a healthy diet.

Alcohol may cause a decrease in blood sugar;. Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking pioglitazone..

Possible Adverse Effects:

Pioglitazone does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used alone, but it may cause low blood sugar when used with other medications for diabetes. If you have any of the following symptoms, eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor without delay. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

o shakiness
o lightheadedness or dizziness
o sweating
o confusion
o nervousness or irritability
o sudden changes in behavior or mood
o headache
o numbness or tingling around the mouth
o weakness
o pale skin
o sudden hunger
o clumsy or jerky movements
o seizures

call your doctor without delay if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):

o extreme thirst
o frequent urination
o extreme hunger
o weakness
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)

If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. call your doctor without delay if you have any of the these symptoms:

o dry mouth
o upset stomach and vomiting
o shortness of breath
o breath that smells fruity
o decreased consciousness

Pioglitazone may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o sinus or respiratory infection
o headache
o muscle pain
o tooth or mouth pain
o sore throat
o weight gain
o swelling of the ankles or feet

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:

o difficulty breathing
o rapid weight gain
o swelling of the ankles or feet that happens very quickly
o stomach pain
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o dark urine
o yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o lightheadedness
o fainting

Brand Name(s):

o Actos®