Pioglitazone Hydrochloride 15 mg Tablets
What is Pioglitazone Hydrochloride and what is it used for:
Pioglitazone Hydrochloride is a medication belonging to a class of drugs known as "thiazolidinediones."
It is used to treat adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance) as an adjunct to diet and exercise to help improve glycemic control.
Do not take Pioglitazone Hydrochloride:
- If you are allergic to Pioglitazone Hydrochloride or any of the ingredients of this medicine. Inform your doctor about the allergy and the signs you have.
- If you have been diagnosed with NYHA Class III or IV heart failure (advanced stages of heart failure, a disorder that causes the heart muscle to lose its ability to pump blood properly).
Warnings and Precautions:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck, low blood pressure, and dizziness.
This medication may cause fluid retention which can worsen or lead to heart failure.
The risk of fluid retention has been shown to be higher in patients using insulin with this medication and who suffer from NYHA Class I and II congestive heart failure (early stages of heart failure; NYHA Class I means you have no symptoms and no limitations on normal physical activity such as shortness of breath when climbing stairs or walking; Class II means you experience mild symptoms such as mild chest pain or shortness of breath and slight limitation during normal physical activity).
Ensure you speak with your doctor before starting this medication if you have heart problems (such as heart failure).
Talk to your doctor if you develop signs of heart failure while taking this medication, such as swelling of the feet, ankles, or abdomen, weight gain, fatigue upon exertion, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat.
This medication may cause edema (swelling), which is dose-related. If this occurs, be sure to tell your doctor. Your doctor may reduce the dose if necessary.
This medication may be associated with liver problems that can be fatal. If your doctor suspects liver injury, they will ensure the medication is stopped immediately and evaluate you for the actual cause of the liver damage.
This medication should not be restarted if the doctor cannot determine another possible cause for the liver damage.
Your doctor may recommend liver blood tests if you have liver problems and will decide accordingly if any dose adjustments are needed.
This medication may increase the risk of fractures in female patients.
This medication may cause an increased risk of bladder cancer, especially when used for a long period of time.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have bladder cancer or if you have previously had bladder cancer. You should not take this medication if you have bladder cancer.
This medication may cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) when administered with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.
Your doctor may recommend a lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue to prevent hypoglycemia.
Talk to your doctor if you experience signs of hypoglycemia such as shakiness, tremors, palpitations, sweating, and dizziness.
High blood glucose levels may lead to macular edema (eye swelling). Regular eye exams at your doctor's office are recommended.
This medication has not been shown to reduce the risk of macrovascular outcomes (such as heart, kidney, eye, brain, and nerve complications).
Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you have liver problems, heart failure, type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Your doctor should perform certain blood tests including HbA1c (used to evaluate blood sugar control) before starting Pioglitazone.
Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you are a premenopausal woman (a woman of childbearing potential). This medication may increase ovulation, which may increase the chance of pregnancy.
Ask your doctor about contraception (birth control) methods you can use to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication.
Possible Side Effects:
Possible side effects include signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash and itching; signs of heart failure such as swelling of the feet, ankles, or abdomen, weight gain, fatigue upon exertion, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat; signs of liver problems such as stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, unusual or unexplained fatigue, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, loss of appetite; edema and weight gain; fractures; bladder cancer; hypoglycemia (when taken with insulin or other diabetes medications); and signs of macular edema such as vision changes. Other possible side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, laboratory abnormalities, ovulation, and increased risk of pregnancy.
Other Medicines and Pioglitazone Hydrochloride:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements.
- If you are taking Gemfibrozil (used to treat high triglyceride levels).
- If you are taking Rifampin (an antibiotic).
How to take Pioglitazone Hydrochloride:
Adults:
- The recommended starting dose is 15 mg or 30 mg orally once daily.
- The starting dose should not exceed 15 mg once daily in patients with NYHA Class I or II heart failure.
- Your doctor may increase the dose in increments of 15 mg if blood sugar control is not reached (depending on your HbA1c level). The maximum dose is 45 mg.
Children:
- The efficacy and safety of this medication in children have not yet been established.
Instructions for Use:
Ensure you take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and may change the doses depending on your response to the medication and other medicines you are taking.
Your doctor may recommend additional diabetes medications to be taken with Pioglitazone.
Take the tablet with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
Take the tablet at the same time every day.
If you are under stress (such as infection, accidents, fever, or surgery), be sure to talk to your doctor immediately.
Your doctor may change the dose of your diabetes medications if necessary.
It may take about two to three months to achieve blood sugar control.
Ensure you follow a healthy diet and exercise program as recommended by your healthcare provider and check your blood sugar levels regularly while taking Pioglitazone.
How to store Pioglitazone Hydrochloride:
- Store the medicine at a temperature of 15 to 30°C.
- Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not use the medicine after the expiration date stated on the box.
- Keep the medicine in its original packaging to protect it from moisture and light.
- Do not use damaged pills.
- Do not dispose of medicines in wastewater or household waste.
Product Details:
Brand: Actos
Concentration: 15 mg
Quantity: 30 Tablets
Product Type: Tablets
