Pioglitazona 30 mg

56 tablets 
COMPOSITION PER 1 TABLET
33.07 mg pioglitazone hydrochloride
30 mg pioglitazone
75.731 mg lactose-1-water
+ carmellose calcium
+ hyprolose
+ magnesium stearate (vegetable)
 
The medicine is mainly given when diet or other measures to lower blood sugar levels, such as physical exercise, are not sufficient on their own.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes), overweight

Uses 

What is pioglitazone used for?

Pioglitazone is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Pioglitazone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Pioglitazone is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. 

How does pioglitazone work (mechanism of action)?

Pioglitazone increases insulin sensitivity (how your body responds to your own insulin). This helps your body use sugar as an energy source. It also lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) your liver makes. 

How is pioglitazone supplied (dosage forms)?

Pioglitazone is available as Actos and generic pioglitazone in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

• 15 mg oral tablets
• 30 mg oral tablets
• 45 mg oral tablets

 

Side Effects 

What are the most common side effects of pioglitazone?

The most common side effects of pioglitazone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Infection of the nose, throat, or sinuses, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
• Headache
• Muscle pain

What are the serious side effects of pioglitazone?

While less common, the most serious side effects of pioglitazone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Pioglitazone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking pioglitazone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Heart Failure. Pioglitazone may increase your risk of heart failure, especially if you also use insulin. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Unusually fast weight gain
• Unusual tiredness

Edema (fluid retention). Pioglitazone may increase your risk of fluid retention, especially if you take a higher dose. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs, or unexplained weight gain. 
Fractures (broken bones). Pioglitazone may increase your risk of breaking a bone (usually in the hand, arm, or feet), especially in females. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to keep your bones healthy.
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking pioglitazone. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach or belly pain
• Fever
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Light-colored poop
• Dark-colored urine
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Bladder Cancer. You may be more likely to get bladder cancer if you take pioglitazone. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bladder cancer.

• Red pee or blood in your pee
• Pain when you pee
• Need to pee more often than normal

Macular Edema. Pioglitazone may increase your risk of macular edema (increased fluid in parts of your eye). You may not have any symptoms, so keep your scheduled eye appointments. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice changes in your vision. 
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Pioglitazone can cause low blood sugar, especially if you skip meals, use insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider may lower your dose of your other diabetes medicines to reduce your risk of low blood sugar. Do not use pioglitazone and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

• Headache
• Crankiness or anxiety Hunger
• Hunger
• Dizziness or confusion
• Blurry vision
• Slurred speech
• Sweating
• Feeling jittery or shakiness
• Fast heartbeat
• Seizures

 

Warnings & Precautions 

Who should not use pioglitazone?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take pioglitazone.

• Pioglitazone
• Actos
• Any other medicine that contains pioglitazone
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pioglitazone products they stock.
Heart Failure. People with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure should not take pioglitazone. 
Bladder cancer. People who have bladder cancer should not take pioglitazone.

What should I know about pioglitazone before using it?

Do not take pioglitazone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share pioglitazone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep pioglitazone out of the reach of children.
Pioglitazone can cause ovulation (release of an egg from your ovary), if you have not gone through menopause, even if you do not have regular periods. This can increase your chance of getting pregnant.
You can take pioglitazone with or without food.
Certain conditions that cause increased stress on your body, like fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery can change the amount of diabetes medicines you need to take to control your diabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions to decide if your medicine needs to be changed.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent, recognize, and manage low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), and diabetes-related problems.
Get regular eye exams while taking pioglitazone.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using pioglitazone?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if pioglitazone is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Heart failure
• Type 1 diabetes
• Macular degeneration
• Liver problems
• Bladder cancer

Other Medicines and Supplements. Pioglitazone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using pioglitazone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how pioglitazone could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take pioglitazone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 
Breastfeeding. It is not known if pioglitazone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
 

Interactions 

Does pioglitazone interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between pioglitazone and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect pioglitazone, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of pioglitazone. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does pioglitazone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking topiramate (Topamax), which is a medicine to control seizures, before taking pioglitazone.
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of pioglitazone. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
 

Overdose/Missed Dose 

What should I do if I accidentally use too much pioglitazone?

If you or someone else has used too much pioglitazone, get medical help right away, call Emergency call, or contact your doctor.

What should I do if I miss a dose of pioglitazone?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.