How
should Actos be used?
Actos comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken
once daily with or without meals. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take Actos exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your doctor.
Actos
controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. Continue to take
Actos even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Actos without
talking to your doctor.
Actos : Full
Prescribing Information
| Actos's
Price List |
|
| Actos (brand )
Generic name : Pioglitazone
|
| Strength : 15 mg tab
Manufacturer : Takeda
Quantity : 30 |
| |
Actos (brand )
Generic name : Pioglitazone
|
| Strength : 30 mg tab
Manufacturer : Takeda
Quantity : 30 |
| |
|
What
special precautions should I follow?
Before
taking Actos, -
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Actos,
rosiglitazone, troglitazone, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially ketoconazole (Nizoral),
oral contraceptives, other medications for type 2 diabetes, and
vitamins or herbal products. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if
your have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin).
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure,
liver disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis), swollen ankles
or feet (edema), high cholesterol, or a history of alcohol abuse.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Actos,
call your doctor immediately.
- you should know that Actos can restart ovulation in women taking
oral contraceptives or those with polycystic ovary disease. You
are at risk for pregnancy if adequate birth control is not used.
You should discuss a reliable form of birth control with your
doctor. If you are taking birth control pills, your doctor may
choose to adjust your dose.
What
special dietary instructions should I follow?
Actos
should be taken with the same meals every day. Be sure to follow
all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or
dietitian. Calorie reduction, weight loss, and exercise will help
control your diabetes and will also make Actos work better. It
is important to eat a healthy diet.
Alcohol
increases blood sugar; ask your doctor for information on how
much alcohol is safe to drink.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as your remember it. However, if
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose
to make up for a missed one.
What
side effects can Actos cause?
Actos does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when
used alone, but it may cause low blood sugar when used with other
medications for diabetes. If you have any of the following symptoms,
eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard
candy or fruit juice, and call your doctor immediately. Symptoms
of low blood sugar include:
-
shakiness
- dizziness
- rapid heartbeat
- sweating
- confusion
- blurred vision
- headache
- numbness or tingling of the mouth
- weakness
- tiredness
- pale color
-sudden hunger
If
you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high
blood sugar), call your doctor immediately:
-
thirst
- dry mouth
- tiredness
- flushing
- dry skin
- frequent urination
- loss of appetite
- trouble breathing
Although
side effects from pioglitazone are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not
go away:
-
sinus or respiratory infection
- headache
- muscle pain
- tooth or mouth pain
- sore throat
- weight gain
- swelling of the ankles or feet
If
you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
-
difficulty breathing
- rapid weight gain
- swelling of the ankles or feet that happens very quickly
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- excessive tiredness
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
What storage conditions are needed for
Actos ?
Keep Pioglitazone in the container it came in, tightly closed,
and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and
away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw
away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk
to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What
other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your
blood sugar and glycosolated hemoglobin should be checked regularly
to determine your response to Actos.
Rare
cases of liver injury and failure have occurred during therapy
with troglitazone, a drug similar to Actos. The potential risk
of liver injury with Actos is not known at this time. It is important
that you keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests before and during
your treatment to check your response to Actos. You will have
these tests before you begin to take Actos, and then every 2 months
for the first year of therapy. After the first year, these tests
will be done less frequently.
Call
your doctor during periods of stress, such as fever, trauma, infection,
or prolonged illness. Your medications may need to be adjusted.
Actos
may cause a slight decrease in red and white blood cells. Before
you have any laboratory test, tell the laboratory personnel and
your doctor that you take this medication.
Do
not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Actor : Full
Prescribing Information |