Actos

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Actos (generic name: Pioglitazone) is a once-a-day prescription pill for type 2 diabetes that increases the body's sensitivity to insulin. When your necessary efforts at healthy eating and physical activity alone do not control your blood glucose levels, Actos can be used by itself or in combination with certain other diabetes pills (sulfonylureas, metformin) or insulin to lower blood glucose.

Actos is a member of the type of oral diabetes agents called thiazolidinediones. These medications help reduce insulin resistance, which has been identified as one of the major problems in type 2 diabetes, and increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin.

Some of the benefits of therapy with Actos are:

It lowers blood glucose by helping your body use insulin more effectively.
It is a convenient, once-a-day pill that can be taken anytime.
It can be taken with or without food.
It may have a good effect on HDL (good) cholesterol and blood fats (triglycerides) with no consistent changes in LDL (bad) cholesterol or total cholesterol.
It has not been associated with stomach upset when used alone.
It can be used alone or in combination with certain other diabetes medicines such as sulfonylureas, metformin, or insulin.

Actos can often begin working right away, although it may take several weeks to see the full effect.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Actos exactly as directed.

This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. It is usually taken once daily with or without meals. Actos tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

The dose your doctor will prescribe for you will usually be in the range of 15 mg to 45 mg per day. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose in order to find the appropriate dose for your condition.

It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light.

Precautions

Tell your doctor before taking Actos, if:

you are allergic to Actos or other medicines;
you have a history of congestive heart failure, liver problems, or swelling (edema);
you have lactose intolerance;
you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.