This medicine is used to treat type 2 diabetes by reducing the resistance your body has to insulin. It is used either alone or in combination with other anti-diabetes medicines, including metformin or insulin, as part of a diet and exercise program.
Before using Actos
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking ketoconazole, birth control pills, or other medicine for diabetes (such as insulin, glipizide, or glyburide).
Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have newly diagnosed or worsening heart failure (acute congestive heart failure), type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, active liver disease, or experienced jaundice with troglitazone.
Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including heart disease (e.g., chronic congestive heart failure), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
Use of this medicine in children under age 18 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child.
Dosage and Administration
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food.
Store this medicine at room temperature at 77°F (25°C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light.
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.
Side Effects
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 Actos 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
You should not be concerned by this list of side effects as most people who take Actos experience no side effects at all.
Cautions
Do not stop using this medicine or other diabetes medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Check with your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine or changing your diet.
If you are taking this medicine with other diabetes medicine, you are at an increased risk of becoming hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). Signs of hypoglycemia include an increased heartbeat, headache, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, or tiredness. Discuss with your doctor or nurse how to handle hypoglycemic reactions.
Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Laboratory and/or medical tests such as liver function tests and HBA1C blood levels may be done to monitor your progress or to check for side effects.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
For women taking birth control pills: this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, use an additional form of birth control.
FOR WOMEN: This medicine may increase your chance of pregnancy by causing ovulation to resume in premenopausal women who have not been ovulating.
If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
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