Drug name: Actos
Alternate name(s): Glustin, Pioglar, Pioglitazone
Active Ingredients: pioglitazone hydrochloride
Therapeutic effect of Actos: Pioglitazone hydrochloride belongs to a group of compounds known as glitazones or thiazolidinedione. This compound possesses both anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycemic properties and is mainly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone hydrochloride acts by stimulating gamma receptors and regulates the blood glucose levels, helps in lipid metabolism and also reduces the level of glucose released by the liver, increases HDL and reduces triglycerides and brings down the overall cholesterol levels.
Indications: Actos is used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.
Precautions and Restrictions: Avoid using Actos if you have the following conditions:
- Type 1 Insulin dependent diabetes
- Acute, major and life threatening condition called Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
- Acute liver failure
- Higher levels of ALT
- Pregnancy and breast feeding
- Excessive or undesirable reaction to Actos
Side effects of Actos: If you are using this drug then you may experience certain side effects that are contrary to what is expected. It has not been proven that these adverse reactions will affect every user of this drug. Some of the potential side effects of Actos include the following:
- Low blood glucose levels (70mg/dl) (Hypoglycemia)
- Swelling caused by fluid retention (edema)
- Lack of adequate healthy red blood cells (anemia)
- Decreased levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST and bilirubin
The above mentioned side effects are by no means exhaustive, so for the complete list of adverse reactions and possible side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a pharmacist.
Interactions: It is important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are using. Get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug. It's important to tell your physician if you're already under any other medication to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe.
- Actos may react with oral contraceptives
- Actos may react with other medicines used for treating diabetes
Additional Information: Do not use Actos without prior approval of a doctor and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Actos is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs, needles, syringes and other such medical substances out of the reach of children.
