what is actos used for
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 what is actos used for. Notify your doctor immediately if youdevelop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite,yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine what is actos used for. These symptoms may be early signs of liverproblems what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for. These may be early symptoms of heart problems what is actos used for.
• Actos usually does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) what is actos used for. However,hypoglycemia may occur as a result of skipped meals, excessive exercise, oralcohol consumption while taking Actos what is actos used for. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia,which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating,tremor, and nausea what is actos used for. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodesof low blood sugar what is actos used for.
• Actos may decrease the effects of some birth control pills what is actos used for. Additionalmeasures may be necessary to prevent pregnancy while taking Actos what is actos used for. Talk to yourdoctor about the use of birth control what is actos used for.
What is Actos?
• Actos is an antihyperglycemic agent what is actos used for. It helps the body respond betterto insulin and it reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver what is actos used for. It canhelp control blood sugar levels what is actos used for.
• Actos is used, along with diet and exercise, in the treatment of non-insulin-dependentdiabetes mellitus (type II diabetes) what is actos used for. 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 what is actos used for.
• Actos may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medicationguide what is actos used for.
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 what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for. Therefore, pregnancy mayoccur and birth control may be a consideration what is actos used for.
• Actos is in the FDA pregnancy category C what is actos used for. This means that it is not knownwhether Actos will be harmful to an unborn baby what is actos used for. Generally, insulin is the drugof choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy what is actos used for. Do not take Actos withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant duringtreatment what is actos used for.
• It is not known whether Actos passes into breast milk what is actos used for. Do not take Actoswithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby what is actos used for.
• The safety and effectiveness of Actos have not been established for children what is actos used for.
How should I take Actos?
• Take Actos exactly as directed by your doctor what is actos used for. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou what is actos used for.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water what is actos used for.
• Actos can be taken with or without food or meals what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for. Notify your doctor immediately if youdevelop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite,yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine what is actos used for. These symptoms may be early signs of liverproblems what is actos used for.
• Although Actos does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption what is actos used for. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness,weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea what is actos used for. Carry a pieceof hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar what is actos used for.
• Store Actos at room temperature away from moisture and heat what is actos used for.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember what is actos used for. If you do not rememberuntil the next day, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose what is actos used for. Do not take a double dose what is actos used for.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention what is actos used for.
• Symptoms of a Actos overdose are not known what is actos used for.
What should I avoid while taking Actos?
• Follow any diet, medication, and exercise routines closely what is actos used for. Changingany of these factors can affect blood sugar levels what is actos used for.
• Avoid alcohol what is actos used for. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with diabetestreatment what is actos used for.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication beforehaving surgery what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for.
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 what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for. These may be early symptoms of heart problems what is actos used for.
• Although Actos does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption what is actos used for. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness,weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea what is actos used for. Carry a pieceof hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar what is actos used for.
• Other less serious side effects may also occur what is actos used for. Continue to take Actosand talk to your doctor if you experience:
· headache;
· muscle aches; or
· sore throat, nasal discharge, or cold symptoms what is actos used for.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur what is actos used for. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome what is actos used for.
What other drugs will affect Actos?
• Actos may decrease the effects of some birth control pills what is actos used for. Additionalmeasures may be necessary to prevent pregnancy while taking Actos what is actos used for. Talk to yourdoctor about the use of birth control what is actos used for.
• Before taking Actos, tell your doctor if you are taking ketoconazole(Nizoral) what is actos used for. Ketoconazole may interact with Actos what is actos used for.
• 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 what is actos used for.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Actos or affectyour condition what is actos used for. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products what is actos used for.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Actos written for healthprofessionals that you may read what is actos used for.
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