Brand Name

Actos {Takeda}

Generic Name

pioglitazone, pronounced PYE o GLIT a zone

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Actos?

Actos is an oral diabetes medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Actos can help to control blood sugar levels.

Actos may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Actos

Certain oral diabetes medications, like Actos, may increase your risk of developing serious heart problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with Actos.

Be aware that women may be more likely than men to have bone fractures in their hand, upper arm or foot while taking Actos. Tell your doctor if you are concerned about your potential for fractures, especially if you are a woman.

You should not take Actos for longer than 1 year. Taking this medication for longer than 1 year may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Discuss your risk factors for bladder cancer with your doctor.

While you are taking Actos take care to monitor your blood sugar and not let it get too low. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur if you exercise too long, drink alcohol, skip a meal or are under extreme stress. Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar while taking Actos, which include headache, hunger, sweating, tremors, trouble concentrating and weakness. You should have either hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you get hypoglycemia. Your doctor can advise you of the correct product to take with you while you are out, and how exactly to avoid hypoglycemia. Make sure your friends, family and co-workers are aware of your situation and know how to help you in an emergency.

Actos is in FDA pregnancy category C. You should not use Actos if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or nursing. We do not yet know the effects Actos has on an unborn baby. Because we do not know if Actos passes into breast milk you should not breast-feed while taking Actos.

Some women who have taken Actos started having menstrual periods again, even after not having a period for a long time due to menopause or a medical condition. If you have not been through menopause you may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor if you find the need to revisit the idea of birth control.

Before You Take Actos

If you are allergic to pioglitazone you should not take Actos.

If you have severe heart failure, congestive heart failure, a history of heart attack or stroke or heart disease you should not take Actos.

If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you have bladder cancer, or a history of bladder cancer you should not take Actos.

Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or fluid retention before starting treatment with Actos.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Actos.

Actos Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• amiloride (Midamor)
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
• blood pressure medications like Accupril, Altace, Lotensin, Prinivil, Vasotec, and Zestril
• bosentan (Tracleer)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• delavirdine (Rescriptor)
• diabetes medications like acarbose (Precose), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• insulin
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• midazolam (Versed)
• morphine (MS Contin, Kadian, Oramorph)
• nicardipine (Cardene)
• nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia)
• NSAIDs like celecoxib (Celebrex), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and piroxicam (Feldene)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl, Procanbid)
• quinidine (Quin-G), or quinine (Qualaquin)
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate)
• rifapentine (Priftin)
• seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Solfoton), and primidone (Mysoline)
• sulfa drugs like Bactrim, Gantanol, Gantrisin, Septra, and SMX-TMP
• triamterene (Dyrenium)
• trimethoprim (Proloprim, Primsol, Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra)
• tolbutamide (Orinase)
• vancomycin (Vancocin, Lyphocin)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Actos. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Actos

You should take Actos exactly as directed by your doctor . It is important that you do not take Actos in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Actos should be taken at the same time every day.

Actos can be taken with or without food.

While you are taking Actos you will need to have your blood sugar checked regularly. Plan to see your doctor often to be sure that Actos is working for you.

You will need to check your blood sugar often, particularly during a time of illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, skip meals or are under great stress. These factors can affect your glucose levels. Tell your doctor if your levels are not where they should be and you may need a dose adjustment of Actos. Your doctor will decide if you need a dosage change, and how much of a change you may need. Do not attempt to change your dose of Actos without consulting your doctor first.

Be aware that Actos is just a part of a complete program of treatment to help your blood sugar condition. Your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan for you which includes diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, and dental care, as well as regulartesting of your blood sugar. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Actos should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Actos you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Actos Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Actos and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• chest pain
• clay colored stools
• difficulty breathing
• faint feeling
• fast heart rate or pounding heart
• general ill feeling
• hives
• increased hunger or thirst
• itching that is extreme
• jaundice or yellowing if your skin
• loss of appetite
• rapid weight gain from swelling
• shortness of breath, even with mild exercise
• swelling, especially of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• upper stomach pain
• urinary abnormalities, such as increased urination, painful urination, dark colored urine or blood in your urine
• vision that is blurry

Less serious side effects of Actos may include:

• back pain
• cold symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or sore throat
• mild muscle pain
• tooth pain
• weight gain (gradual)

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Actos. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Actos Description and Dosing

Actos is available in oral tablet dosages of:

15 mg, which is white to off-white, round, convex, and non-scored with “ACTOS” on one side, and “15” on the other side

30 mg , which is white to off-white, round, flat, and non-scored with “ACTOS” on one side, and “30” on the other side.

45 mg, which is white to off-white, round, flat, and non-scored with “ACTOS” on one side, and “45” on the other side.

Actos is typically prescribed as 15 mg or 30 mg, taken once daily. Your doctor will decide what dose of Actos is right for you.

All people taking Actos should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Actos you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Actos

The main ingredient in Actos is pioglitazone. Other inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, and magnesium stearate.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.