Actos

Actos

     * Generic Name: pioglitazone hydrochloride
     * Brand Name: Actos


     * What is pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * What are the possible side effects of pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * How should I take pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Actos)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Actos)?
     * What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * What other drugs will affect pioglitazone (Actos)?
     * Where can I get more information (Actos)?

What is pioglitazone (Actos)?

   Pioglitazone is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control
   blood sugar levels.

   Pioglitazone is for people with type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone is
   not for treating type 1 diabetes.

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

What are the possible side effects of pioglitazone (Actos)?

   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 (even with mild exertion), 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.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache;
     * muscle pain; or
     * cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain,
       sneezing, sore throat.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about pioglitazone
(Actos)?

   You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled
   heart failure, active bladder cancer, or diabetic
   ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
   Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

   Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Stop
   using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness
   of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.

   Actos Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication

   Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
   Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining

   Diabetes Friendly Dining
   RxList

   Type 2 Diabetes Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pioglitazone
(Actos)?

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to pioglitazone,
   or if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, active bladder
   cancer, or diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment
   with insulin).

   To make sure pioglitazone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
   have:
     * congestive heart failure or heart disease;
     * fluid retention;
     * a history of bladder cancer;
     * a history of heart attack or stroke; or
     * liver disease.

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

   Taking pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
   However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other
   organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating
   your diabetes with pioglitazone.

   Follow your doctor's instructions about using pioglitazone if you are
   pregnant. Blood sugar control is very important during pregnancy, and
   your dose needs may be different during each trimester of pregnancy.

   Some women using pioglitazone have started having menstrual periods,
   even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical
   condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart.
   Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

   Women may be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper
   arm, hand, or foot while taking pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor if
   you are concerned about this possibility.

   It is not known whether pioglitazone passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this
   medicine.

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

How should I take pioglitazone (Actos)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
   not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
   recommended.

   Pioglitazone is usually taken once daily. You may take the medicine
   with or without food.

   Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other
   blood tests at your doctor's office.

   Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes.
   Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin,
   irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating.

   Keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar
   sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and
   non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to
   help you in an emergency. If you have severe hypoglycemia and
   cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can
   prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use
   it.

   Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel,
   illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you
   drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose
   levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change your
   medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

   Use pioglitazone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your
   prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

   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.

   Actos Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment, Medication

   Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
   Diabetes: Best and Worst Meals for Diabetes-Savvy Dining

   Diabetes Friendly Dining
   RxList

   Type 2 Diabetes Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (Actos)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Actos)?

   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 (Actos)?

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

What other drugs will affect pioglitazone (Actos)?

   Tell your doctor if you use insulin. Taking pioglitazone while you are
   using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * gemfibrozil;
     * rifampin; or
     * other oral diabetes medications, such as acetohexamide,
       chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, tolbutamide.

   This list is not complete and many other medicines may increase or
   decrease the effects of pioglitazone on lowering your blood sugar. This
   includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information (Actos)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about pioglitazone.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.