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