side effects of actos
Pioglitazone (pie oh GLIH ta zone)
What is the most important information I should know about Actos?
• Usually, liver function is monitored with blood tests at the start oftreatment, every two months for the first year of treatment, and periodicallythereafter during treatment with Actos side effects of actos. Notify your doctor immediately if youdevelop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite,yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine side effects of actos. These symptoms may be early signs of liverproblems side effects of actos.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you experience an unusually rapid increasein weight or edema (water retention), shortness of breath, or chest pain duringtreatment with Actos side effects of actos. These may be early symptoms of heart problems side effects of actos.
• Actos usually does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) side effects of actos. However,hypoglycemia may occur as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, oralcohol consumption while taking Actos side effects of actos. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia,which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating,tremor, and nausea side effects of actos. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodesof low blood sugar side effects of actos.
• Actos may decrease the effects of some birth control pills side effects of actos. Additionalmeasures may be necessary to prevent pregnancy while taking Actos side effects of actos. Talk to yourdoctor about the use of birth control side effects of actos.
What is Actos?
• Actos is an antihyperglycemic agent side effects of actos. It helps the body respond betterto insulin and it reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver side effects of actos. It canhelp control blood sugar levels side effects of actos.
• Actos is used, along with diet and exercise, in the treatment of non-insulin-dependentdiabetes mellitus (type II diabetes) side effects of actos. Actos may also be used with a sulfonylurea(e.g., Diabeta, Glucotrol, Micronase, others), metformin (Glucophage), or insulinwhen diet and exercise plus any one of these medicines alone do not result inadequate blood sugar control side effects of actos.
• Actos may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medicationguide side effects of actos.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Actos?
• Do not take Actos without first talking to your doctor if you have liverdisease side effects of actos.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have heart failure or heart disease;
· have edema (water retention or swelling);
· have type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes);
· have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or
· need surgery side effects of actos.
• You may not be able to take Actos, or you may need a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove side effects of actos.
• Treatment with Actos may cause resumption of fertility by allowing forthe return of ovulation (production of eggs) in certain women with insulin resistancewho were not ovulating before treatment with Actos side effects of actos. Therefore, pregnancy mayoccur and birth control may be a consideration side effects of actos.
• Actos is in the FDA pregnancy category C side effects of actos. This means that it is not knownwhether Actos will be harmful to an unborn baby side effects of actos. Generally, insulin is the drugof choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy side effects of actos. Do not take Actos withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment side effects of actos.
• It is not known whether Actos passes into breast milk side effects of actos. Do not take Actoswithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby side effects of actos.
• The safety and effectiveness of Actos have not been established for children side effects of actos.
How should I take Actos?
• Take Actos exactly as directed by your doctor side effects of actos. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou side effects of actos.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water side effects of actos.
• Actos can be taken with or without food or meals side effects of actos.
• Usually, liver function is monitored with blood tests at the start oftreatment, every two months for the first year of treatment, and periodicallythereafter during treatment with Actos side effects of actos. Notify your doctor immediately if youdevelop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite,yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine side effects of actos. These symptoms may be early signs of liverproblems side effects of actos.
• Although Actos does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption side effects of actos. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness,weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea side effects of actos. Carry a pieceof hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar side effects of actos.
• Store Actos at room temperature away from moisture and heat side effects of actos.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember side effects of actos. If you do not rememberuntil the next day, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose side effects of actos. Do not take a double dose side effects of actos.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention side effects of actos.
• Symptoms of a Actos overdose are not known side effects of actos.
What should I avoid while taking Actos?
• Follow any diet, medication, and exercise routines closely side effects of actos. Changingany of these factors can affect blood sugar levels side effects of actos.
• Avoid alcohol side effects of actos. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with diabetestreatment side effects of actos.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication beforehaving surgery side effects of actos.
• Do not take over-the-counter or prescription cough, cold, allergy, pain,or weight-loss medications during treatment with Actos without first talkingto your doctor side effects of actos.
What are the possible side effects of Actos?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingActos and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite;
· unusual fatigue;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
· dark urine side effects of actos.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you experience an unusually rapid increasein weight or edema (swelling, water retention), shortness of breath, or chestpain during treatment with Actos side effects of actos. These may be early symptoms of heart problems side effects of actos.
• Although Actos does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption side effects of actos. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness,weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea side effects of actos. Carry a pieceof hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar side effects of actos.
• Other less serious side effects may also occur side effects of actos. Continue to take Actosand talk to your doctor if you experience:
· headache;
· muscle aches; or
· sore throat, nasal discharge, or cold symptoms side effects of actos.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur side effects of actos. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome side effects of actos.
What other drugs will affect Actos?
• Actos may decrease the effects of some birth control pills side effects of actos. Additionalmeasures may be necessary to prevent pregnancy while taking Actos side effects of actos. Talk to yourdoctor about the use of birth control side effects of actos.
• Before taking Actos, tell your doctor if you are taking ketoconazole(Nizoral) side effects of actos. Ketoconazole may interact with Actos side effects of actos.
• Do not take over-the-counter or prescription cough, cold, allergy, pain,or weight-loss medications during treatment with Actos without first talkingto your doctor side effects of actos.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Actos or affectyour condition side effects of actos. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products side effects of actos.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Actos written for healthprofessionals that you may read side effects of actos.
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