Actos
The below information on Actos has been taken from official FDA sources, but we cannot guarantee it's accuracy. Please use this site for educational purposes only. This site does not replace a proper discussion with your doctor.
| Brand Name: | Actos |
| Generic: | Pioglitazone Hydrochloride |
| Availability: | Prescription |
| This drug was approved by the FDA in one form or another on: 1999-07-15 , | |
| This drug is made in one form or another by the following companies: Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. | |
| This drug is available in the following forms: Tablets | |
| View the actual FDA approved label for this drug at the following links: PDF Label |
About Actos
Actos, in addition to diet and exercise, improves blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes). Actos can be used alone or in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin when diet, exercise, and one of these agents or diet, exercise, plus Actos alone are not are not enough to control blood sugar.
Precautions for Actos
- Actos is in the same class of drugs as Rezulin, which has been associated with rare but serious liver injury, including liver failure leading to transplant or death. Because the liver safety profile of Actos is not fully determined yet, your doctor will do blood tests that evaluate your liver before starting you on Actos. These blood tests should be repeated every two months for the first year, then regularly after that.
- Call your health care provider right away if you develop nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, a feeling of tiredness or having no energy, loss of appetite, dark urine, or jaundice (yellow coloring of eyes and skin). These may be the symptoms of liver problems.
- Patients who experience an unusually rapid increase in weight or retain fluid (edema) or who develop shortness of breath or other symptoms of heart failure while on Actos should immediately report these symptoms to their health care provider.
- When taking Actos with insulin or certain other oral diabetes medicines, there is a risk of your blood sugar becoming dangerously low. Ask your health care provider about symptoms of low blood sugar, conditions that make low blood sugar more likely, and what to do if you get it. Make sure to explain to family members.
- If you are a woman who has not reached menopause but have not had menstrual periods; you may become pregnant unless you use an effective method of birth control. Actos, like other drugs in this class, may cause insulin resistant women to start ovulating again.
- Women should tell their doctor if they notice any changes in their monthly menstrual cycle.
- During periods of stress on the body, such as fever, trauma, infection, or surgery, your medication requirements may change; contact your health care provider promptly.
Side Effects of Actos
- cough or cold
- headache
- inflammation of the sinuses or throat
- muscle pain
- swelling or fluid retention
Who Should Not Take Actos
- Do not take Actos for Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) or diabetic ketoacidosis.
- If you have heart failure, fluid retention or active liver disease your health care provider will evaluate you to decide if Actos is right for you.
User Comments and Reviews:
Anonymous Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 10.0000 Terrible muscle ache in arms and legs. Can hardly walk round the supermarket. I am not a very big person. Fluid retention. Itching and spots appearing everywhere. My GP "doubts that it is caused by Actos" I wonder. Can't stick it much longer Tamzie No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 10.0000 I have been on actos for a little over a year now my hba1c is down to 5.2 and I am doing great with my readings I am 37 years old and have been type II for about 7 years now Actos is the best med I have found to control my sugars. I honestly hope others have positive experiances with it Pat No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 7.1333 I have been a type II diabetic for almost twenty years, and have been extrememly insuline resistant. I have been taking glucophauge, glyburide and actos together for the last three months. I noticed that I was gaining weight, my clothing felt tight, especially in my legs and stomach. I never gave the medication a thought, until about a week ago when my ankles blew up like balloons. I then realized that I was retaining quite a bit of fluid. Still, I didnt know it was the Actos, until this morning when my husband read the warning packet that came with the prescription. I feel so stupid, all this time I was not thinking. I am going to stop taking the actos. I cannot even fit in most of my clothes, and have gained about ten pounds. Has anyone else had this kind of reaction? Thanks for any feedback. By the way, I did notice a dramatic drop in my numbers. It definitely was bringing the sugar levels down. Brenda Actos and Glucotrol May 12th, 2008 Rating: 6.9500 After taking Glucotrol alone for a couple of years with poor blood sugar control, I finally found a doctor who agreed with me that I was insulin resistant and put me on Actos along with my GLucotrol XL twice a day. WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!! My hgba1c went from 8 down to 5.3 within 2 months! I do not notice any side effects from this drug and do receive frequent liver profiles to make sure everything is okay. I am so thankful that this drug is available, it has made a huge difference in my life. There are alot of type II diabetics that would benefit from this drug but it is not being offered/prescribed; instead they are being put on insulin and still have poor control. Doctors need to get their act together and start looking at insulin resistant diabetes a little closer. Poor control is not always the patients fault. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 6.7778 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago (age 44). I was in good shape, not overweight and did not fit the profile. I have been taking glyburide regularly to force more insulin production nad keep my blood sugar under control. Occasionally, I suffered from low blod sugar and always wondered when it might hit. I often wondered how long my pancreas could be forced to make more insulin without wearing down. One week ago, I stopped taking glyburide and switched to 15 mg of actos, once a day. My morning blood sugar has been between 110 and 120 (actually a bit lower than before). Evening blood sugar has been around 120-125, definately lower, with no worry of low blood attacks. I am hoping as the actos cleans out my cells' receptors, it will get even better. Maybe even one day I be close to normal without medication. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 6.2500 Taking Actos since 11/02. Experiencing weight gain and shortness of breath, side effects mentioned in literature fromm the manufacturer. However, my doctor prefers that I continue wth Actos. My dietician recommends changing meds, stating that sevearl clients have mentioned these two side effects. I love the new, low readings, but not this exaggerated breathing. drciao Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.5000 I am taking glyburide and avandia. My doctor then added insulin to the regimen. I had swelling, retained fluid and had chest pains.
My doctor has switched to actos, retaining the glyburide and insulin also. I have just started the actos but from researchit seems that avandia and actos are about the same, plus I'm wondering if I am going through a little over kill with so much medication. My reading are still high although not as high before I started the insulin. I was in the 400-480 range daily. Now I am down to 200-250 daily. I will be starting actos tonight for the first time. I am hopeful. Any feedback will be appreciated. ThanksAnonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.2500 I have been on Actos for 2 months at the cost of $154.oo for 30 pills.
My blood sugar numbers have improved! I am a type 2 using insulin for about 10 years. Problem - I got a $50.00 coupon from my Doctor, which the drug company would not honor. Sneaky way to get doctors to push your medication, huh! The reason for not honoring the coupon: "We were unable to verify that you submission meets the terms and conditions of this offer. You may submit additional supporting information to confirm the validy of your claim" They did not say what the "additional supporting information" was amd I had followed all the instructions on the coupon! Anyone out there have the same experience?Joyce actos side effect May 12th, 2008 Rating: 5.0000 Severe sudden pains in legs after being on Actos one month. Dr. Told me to stop taking it. Unable to walk short distance. Hope it goes away! nancy confused May 12th, 2008 Rating: 4.2500 I AM A TYPE I I WAS DIAGNOSED 3 YRS AGO MY DOCTOR TODAY TOLD ME TO TAKE THIS ACTOS EVERY MORNING...DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY IT SAYS TYPE 1 DIABETICS SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS DRUG..YET MY DOCTOR IS TELLING ME TO.. Peggy Actos and itching May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.8333 I was diagnoses with diabetes in Aug.03 and have been taking Actos since then. I have episodes of intense itching on my arms. Has anyone else had any symptoms like this? danny actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.6667 I have been type II for 8 years, on glyburide. Changed to actos because glyburide had quit working. Abolutely amazing the change in my blood sugar!!! Now, I have to watch that I don't go too low. JERRY No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.0000 doing good on actos, but having sinus infection problems, and already had fluid retention, little extra water margaret actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 3.0000 lipnodes swolen in feet and chest, feet and legs and stomach swollen with water retention. Tired all the time, overeating. Yes, my blood sugar and cholesterol coming down but is it worth it? Also, shortness of breath. Julie Pregnancy and actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 2.6667 I am 37 years old and three months after going on actos, I became pregnant. My only other child is thirteen. Luckily my glucose numbers were low enough to produce a beautiful, perfect little girl. It was difficult to take 200 units of insulin a day and experience late night sugar lows but definitely worth it. Since I stopped breastfeeding and went back on actos it has been difficult to maintain my sugar though. I'm already taking 45 mgs and having 140 blood sugars in the am. I guess I should exercise, eat right and lose weight and see what kind of difference that makes. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 2.4800 since i have been taking actos i have experienced weight gain and fluid retention my muscles ache and seem to eat more. i stoped taking actos on my own. the aching muscles have almost stoped. ann ploudre actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 1.7500 yes i want to know now that iam on actos can i stop takeing
insulinGlenn Wagner internal bleeding May 12th, 2008 Rating: 1.5000
I have been taking actos for about 8 months and now Iam dig. with internal bleeding, is there any chance this could be caused from actos.
dw No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.6667 I've been taking Actos for about 6-7 months now experiencing shortness of breath, fluid in my lungs, and abdominal swelling (right side-liver??). Dr has diganosed with pulmonary edema and congetive heart failure, with possible liver injury. Be careful with Actos!!!!! Jojo Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I have been Type II insulin dependent since 1990 and I am currently taking 25 units of Humulin 70/30 in the AM and 35 units in the PM. Two weeks ago My doctor prescribed 15 MG of Actos along with what I already take to try and lower my glucose level. It had been running around 200 in the AM and PM. My levels have increased instead of decreasing. I am 50 years old and had a heart attack in 1997 so I am on alot of other medications for that and other medical problems like RA and OA and Fibromyalgia. I was wondering if the Actos has had ample time to work or
one of the other medications that I am taking is/are cancelling it out and not giving it a chance to work? I have so far not experienced any strange or noticable side effects other than my glucose level seems to be increasing. Anyone with similar experience?nv actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I have diabetes 2 and I received actos 15 for 10 months. My HbA1c decreasd from 7,4 to 6,5 and glucose morning from 125-135 to 115. Aslo HDL have increased from 33 to 50 , triclyceridia decreased from 250 to 125 and total cholesterole from 290 to 250. I will continue to take actos. Anonymous actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 I been taking it for 3 months now. My dr. never even told me about geeting checked for liver problems. My sugar was up and this runs in my family. Since taking this drug I have had blurred vision, weight gain and fluid retension. I also didn't know the effects were from the drug. I have now had another Dr. tell me that my there has been some liver damage, and I should have been told the effects of the drug before starting. The itching is also a problem that has recently came up for me. I am thinking of quiting the drug on my own, but i am a little scared of my sugar levels going back up. any info is kindly grateful. Tracy No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Actos for about 21/2 years for my Type II Diabetes. I also take Glucovance twice a day and insulin at bedtime but still have very high readings. About two or three months ago my doctor decreased my Actos from 30 mg down to 15 mg. As a result of this change and walking daily I had lost 9 pounds at my last visit (about 2 weeks ago, however my sugar readings and Triglycerides were through the roof. Does anyone have a similar history and if so, have you found any medications that have helped? Edith Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been experiencing weight gain, muscle aches, stomach pain, and fluid retention on Actos but it has brought my blood sugar level way down. When I get up it is around 60 to 90. I have been on Lantus morning and night and my doctor told me to cut back on Lantus at night at rate of 4 units a day until my morning reading is 90 to 100. Does anyone else take Lantus and Actos? Are these side affects normal? Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Actos (40mg.) for two years , along with 35 units on Lantus daily. I have found it impossible to lose weight and that if I slow down exercising even just a little I gain rapidly. My cravings for certain foods has also increased. I don't know if Actos is part of the problem or not, but I do retain fluid and I have been short of breath. I figured it was from the weight gain. I gained 12 pounds in 8 months. Any suggestions? Laura No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I started with 15 mg Actos; weight gain ensued, with about 10 pounds and bloated ankles. Dr. increased dosage to 30 mg; more weight and then extreme tooth pain. Every tooth in my mouth from tips to gum ached. I stopped Actos; no tooth pain. Anyone have anything similar happen? sara No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I've been on actos for a mnth and a half now and my ankles and halves have blown up to twice their size! No other side effects though... Anonymous Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking actos for about 7 years. My weight has increased by 75 pounds in that time. Never in my life have I been this overweight. I decided to stop taking the actos 2 days ago. Start riding my stationary bike and cut all my sugar and breads. Hope this will work.
Also have swollen sinus all the time and shorness of breath often.
The Doc just says since the insulin is being used more effiently that I am storing the sugar instead of urinating it out. Just don't like this weight and think it's time to take control of my life and treat my body right. Hopefully it's okay to just stop taking this stuffAnonymous Actos/ itching May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I just began taking Actos 7/2005. I have been javing episodes of itching. Could this be the result of the Actos? I can think of no other reason. Anonymous ACTOS May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been on Actos for 2 weeks now. I have been taking Glucophage for 9 months without good control. I have noticed that I urinate more and have lost the swelling in my legs and hands since I started the Actos. The only troubling thing that I've noticed is back pain in the Kidney region. I haven't seen this listed as a side-effect but wonder if anyone else has experienced this. Joyce actos side effect May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated A new "diabetic." On actos one month. Have never had such pains in my legs. Cannot walk down driveway. Doctor told me to stop actos . The symptoms appeared suddenly. Hope they go away as fast as they came. Anonymous back and leg pain May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated i was in an automobile accident in 2001. i am a type 2 diabetic. the pain in my low back has never gone away. i suffer from weight gain too. i have been on actos a long time. the accident pain is getting worse. has anyone been injured in the sacro-iliac area of the low back and hip with low back and hip and leg pain from this injury. has using actos made the pain worse. thanks for your comments. Betty S. ACTOS May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been type 11 diabetic for twenty years. My sugar has been up and down for years..My Dr. took me off of gluphogue. I was still on my insulin. They added Actos to my taking insulin and it has really brought my readings down. IN fact it drops to low just around lunch time if I don't do my snack time like I'm suppose to..other wise it has been wonderfull with no complaints..Long time effects I don't know.. I have only been on it for about a mounth..I have renal kidney failure for years of uncontrolled sugar.I have only 56% of my kidney function left..Needless to say I hope actos is the answer to my control problem... steve Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated In the last year I was diagnosed with TypeII Diabetes, apparently have had for a long time per my doctors. My doc put me initially on Avandia, then Avandamet. I noticed my vision getting extremely blurry (I went through 3 laser surgeries to control retinopathy). The doc changed me over to Actos 45, and vision is even worse. The doc says its from the surgeries I had (makes you extremely sensitive to light). Funny, though, I stopped Actos for 3 days now, and can see at least 85% better, and every day, it gets even clearer. I am going to insist my doc changes me over to insulin. JB Actos May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Actos for 3 weeks,my blood sugar was to high.I developed all the side effects at the same time.A cough and cold,headache so bad,muscle pain,inflamed sinus and throat.It called it the flu.I haven't been this sick in years.I was so terribly sick to my stomach. Took me 15 days to get over this.I got on computer today and found this info.I have to admit I feel better.Abit more energy,only hope my blood is down.I will continue taking Actol in order to give a fair chance,unless of course the side effects continue. In which case I would have met my demise. Have a great day everyone,I'm certainly going to. JB frustrated weight gain/.edema May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Type 2,on glucophage,glyburide,dr. added actos,gained 25 lbs. in 2 years on it,muscle pains,weight gains,swelling in feet,ankles,hands,shortness of breath,am stopping taking it,even though doc"doesnt think side effects are due to the actos" Duh! don't they ever bother to see what side effects these meds cause? Donna ACTOS May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Actos for 8 weeks, have severe upper abdominal pain, swelling of ankles and legs and abdomen (7lbs. increase). For up to 5 hours after taking I can barely breathe,wheeze when walking, dizzness and head pain. My ears, sinus and teeth all hurt as well as my finger joints and back. I am 53 and tried several diabetic medicines with almost similar results. Discontinued medication yesterday, as I cannot deal with the side effects. My blood sugars were lowered from 175 to 100 but side effects are not worth it. Betty weight gain May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Since my glucose was up and down taking metformin, my doctor suggested taking actos 45mg. I have been taking actos for 3 mos. I have weight gain and it seems like my stomach has bloated. I have low energy and sleep alot. I also have lower back ache some days. I told my doctor,I was experiencing rapid weight gain and he just chuckled and commented that actos shouldn't do that. I was never tested for any liver problems before taking this drug; but,I will ask to be checked for liver problems and will ask for a different drug or go back to metformin and try harder to exercise and eat correctly. It concerns me that as a patient I have to be more involved and educated about what is the right thing to do than my doctor. luis sideaffects May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated i started taking actos a year ago and experienced blurred vision, i also have itching of legs and arms , my eye sight now is very bad i have had lser surgery taking a lot of eye drops meds , don't know for sure related to actos but not having any problems with my eyes until i started taking actos, sometimes blood sugar drops too low uvkigu Petrovich i butilka May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Good Day! My wife has good credit card. I am also in need of credit card with alluring features. But I want another credit card company. I have found one website with various credit card offers and features. And do not know for sure if I can apply at this site online or not. I hope you help me with advice. Thanks beforehand.
Linda actos side effect May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I am now 65 and was put on Actos just a couple of months ago to go along with my Lantus insulin to try and get my sugar under control. It has really helped but recently i was hospitalized for vomiting, headache and pain in my right side. Had several tests including an MRI but they couldn't determine what my problem was. I just got a call from my doctor wanting to see me to talk about the Actos and since then i have gone online and read all these comments and realize that i have experienced most of them without knowing what the cause was. Now i am scared to talk to the doctor, i don't need liver problems ontop of my heart and diabetes problems. Thanks for all your inputs, at least i know it wasn't just me. Idi Cinnergen May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Hi - I have taken diabetic medications such as Metformen and ended up in the hospital and my glucose was highter than ever, so now they want me to try Actos, however, after reading all this I am afraid to even try it. Has anyone here ever heard of Cinnergen? I bought some and I am going to try it. I don't want to ask my doctor about it for they don't believe in anything except their own drugs. I do have high blood pressure and high cholestral which I take medicine for, so my only problem is that I don't know if Cinnergen has any affect on those. If you have heard of it or tried it please let me know. Thank you. Idi Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I was on avandia until last year and switched to actos because it helps with chloresterols and my LDL are way low but no change in HDL. Also, I read that actos inhibits glycogenesis in the liver and glycogenesis is what turns lactic acids and glycerols into glucoses.
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