Actos Side Effects
From Pharmacy Drug Guide
Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral prescription medication for diabetes. Actos is classified as a thiazolidinedione, and increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar (glucose levels). Actos, when used with a diet and exercise program, helps to moderate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Although Actos is sometimes used in conjunction with insulin or other medications, it is not for treating type 1 or juvenile diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis.[1]
Actos may cause side effects like sore throat, muscle aches or pains, headache, and signs of the common cold.
In June of 2011, the FDA issued a warning that Actos may increase risk of bladder cancer with extended use (one or more years).[2]
 Flickr: Actos | |
| Brand name for | Pioglitazone |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. |
| Uses | Helps control type 2 diabetes |
| Common side effects | Runny nose and other cold symptoms, headache, muscle pain, sore throat. |
| Who should not take Actos | Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding |
| Disclaimer | The information provided by PharmacyDrugGuide.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not take any action based on the information on this page without consulting a physician. |
|
| |
Contents |
Common Actos Side Effects
Common Actos side effects include runny nose and other cold symptoms, headache, pain in the muscles and sore throat.[3]
Certain Actos side effects can be serious: upset stomach, throwing up, lack of desire for food, exhaustion, darker-colored urine, jaundice, and altered vision.[1]
Actos can also cause women to release more eggs, making pregnancy a potential side effect.[3]
About Drug Side Effects
Actos Allergic Reactions
Dangerous allergic reactions to Actos are rare. However, patients who have known allergies to any of the ingredients in the drug are advised not to use it. Indications of a severe allergic reaction include itching, rashy skin, a breakout of hives, swelling anywhere in the body (particularly in the facial region), and problems with breathing.[4]
Actos Precautions and Warnings
- Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking Actos can heighten the risk of low blood sugar.[4]
- Blood sugar levels may be affected by stress. Therefore, treatment with Actos or other diabetes medications require alteration in patients with unusually high stress levels.[4]
- Females who take Actos may have a higher likelihood of bone fracturing, especially in the hands, feet and upper arms.[4]
- The manufacturer recommends that patients taking Actos inform their physicians if they have a medical history of liver problems, heart failure, macular edema, iabetic ketoacidosis or juvenile diabetes.[3]
- Certain medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products can increase the risk of side effects. Patients taking Lipitor, Lopid, hormonal contraceptives, Nizoral, Singulair, Procardia, and Rifadin may require a dose adjustment.[1]
- Pioglitazone causes changes in the body's blood sugar levels. When mixed with other diabetes drugs, or when patients skip meals, it can cause low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia include feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness, altered mood, tingling or numb feeling in oral areas, increased desire for food, shakiness and/or increased clumsiness, a palid hue in the skin and increased perspiration.[1]
- Actos has the potential to cause fetal harm when used by pregnant women. In some cases, doctors switch pregnant patients to insulin while they are expecting.[1]
- There is a chance that Actos passes into breast milk, but this has not been adequately studied.
- Actos may cause blood sugar fluctuations that blur vision and cause dizziness, which may hamper the ability to drive safely.[4]
Also See: Diabetes Coupons, Avandia Side Effects, Insulin Coupons, Metformin HCL Patient Assistance Programs, Metformin Coupons, Duetact Side Effects, Actoplus Met Side Effects, Insulin and Alzheimer's, Metformin Side Effects
|
|
|
|
