MedlinePlus Health Information

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(dgregori@...) thought you would be interested in the

following page from MedlinePlus®, the National Library of Medicine's consumer

health web site:

Drug Information: Pioglitazone

URL of this page:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a699016.html

(pye oh gli' ta zone)

Brand name(s): Actos

Why is this medication prescribed?

Pioglitazone is used, alone or in combination with other medications,

to treat type 2 diabetes in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled

by diet and exercise alone. Pioglitazone is in a class of drugs called

thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing your body's sensitivity to

insulin, a substance your body produces to help control blood sugar

levels.

How should this medicine be used?

Pioglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken

once daily with or without meals. Follow the directions on your

prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to

explain any part you do not understand. Take pioglitazone exactly as

directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than

prescribed by your doctor.

Pioglitazone controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. Continue

to take pioglitazone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking

pioglitazone without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or

pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking pioglitazone,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to

pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, troglitazone, or any other drugs.

* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and

nonprescription medications you are taking, especially

ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, other medications for

type 2 diabetes, and vitamins or herbal products. Tell your doctor

and pharmacist if your have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin).

* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, liver

disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis), swollen ankles or

feet (edema), high cholesterol, or a history of alcohol abuse.

* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or

are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking

pioglitazone, call your doctor immediately.

* you should know that pioglitazone can restart ovulation in women

taking oral contraceptives or those with polycystic ovary disease.

You are at risk for pregnancy if adequate birth control is not

used. You should discuss a reliable form of birth control with

your doctor. If you are taking birth control pills, your doctor

may choose to adjust your dose.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Pioglitazone should be taken with the same meals every day. Be sure to

follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or

dietitian. Calorie reduction, weight loss, and exercise will help

control your diabetes and will also make pioglitazone work better. It

is important to eat a healthy diet.

Alcohol increases blood sugar; ask your doctor for information on how

much alcohol is safe to drink.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as your remember it. However, if it is

almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your

regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a

missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Pioglitazone 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 pioglitazone 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

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and

out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from

excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any

medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your

pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at

1-. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call

local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood

sugar and glycosolated hemoglobin should be checked regularly to

determine your response to pioglitazone.

Rare cases of liver injury and failure have occurred during therapy

with troglitazone, a drug similar to pioglitazone. The potential risk

of liver injury with pioglitazone is not known at this time. It is

important that you keep all appointments with your doctor and the

laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests before and

during your treatment to check your response to pioglitazone. You will

have these tests before you begin to take pioglitazone, and then every

2 months for the first year of therapy. After the first year, these

tests will be done less frequently.

Call your doctor during periods of stress, such as fever, trauma,

infection, or prolonged illness. Your medications may need to be

adjusted.

Pioglitazone may cause a slight decrease in red and white blood cells.

Before you have any laboratory test, tell the laboratory personnel and

your doctor that you take this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any

questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

ASHP Logo

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer -

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ashpdisclaimer.html

The MedMaster Patient Drug Information database provides

information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System

Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, land Copyright© 2001. All Rights

Reserved.

Note: Licensed content is for personal use only. Do not forward this e-mail to

mailing lists or distribute it for commercial purposes. See our copyright

statement (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/copyright.html) for more

information.

From MedlinePlus (http://medlineplus.gov), 24 Hour Health Information.

To receive weekly e-mail announcements from MedlinePlus containing links to new

health topics and sites, sign up at

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[Guest guest]

Hi , It looks a bit scary, but so do most medications when I read

aversive potentials. Thanks, Ruth

MedlinePlus Health Information

(dgregori@...) thought you would be interested in the

following page from MedlinePlusR, the National Library of Medicine's

consumer health web site:

Drug Information: Pioglitazone

URL of this page:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a699016.html

(pye oh gli' ta zone)

Brand name(s): Actos

Why is this medication prescribed?

Pioglitazone is used, alone or in combination with other medications,

to treat type 2 diabetes in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled

by diet and exercise alone. Pioglitazone is in a class of drugs called

thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing your body's sensitivity to

insulin, a substance your body produces to help control blood sugar

levels.

How should this medicine be used?

Pioglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken

once daily with or without meals. Follow the directions on your

prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to

explain any part you do not understand. Take pioglitazone exactly as

directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than

prescribed by your doctor.

Pioglitazone controls type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. Continue

to take pioglitazone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking

pioglitazone without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or

pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking pioglitazone,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to

pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, troglitazone, or any other drugs.

* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and

nonprescription medications you are taking, especially

ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, other medications for

type 2 diabetes, and vitamins or herbal products. Tell your doctor

and pharmacist if your have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin).

* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure, liver

disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis), swollen ankles or

feet (edema), high cholesterol, or a history of alcohol abuse.

* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or

are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking

pioglitazone, call your doctor immediately.

* you should know that pioglitazone can restart ovulation in women

taking oral contraceptives or those with polycystic ovary disease.

You are at risk for pregnancy if adequate birth control is not

used. You should discuss a reliable form of birth control with

your doctor. If you are taking birth control pills, your doctor

may choose to adjust your dose.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Pioglitazone should be taken with the same meals every day. Be sure to

follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or

dietitian. Calorie reduction, weight loss, and exercise will help

control your diabetes and will also make pioglitazone work better. It

is important to eat a healthy diet.

Alcohol increases blood sugar; ask your doctor for information on how

much alcohol is safe to drink.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as your remember it. However, if it is

almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your

regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a

missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Pioglitazone 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 pioglitazone 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

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and

out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from

excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any

medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your

pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at

1-. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call

local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood

sugar and glycosolated hemoglobin should be checked regularly to

determine your response to pioglitazone.

Rare cases of liver injury and failure have occurred during therapy

with troglitazone, a drug similar to pioglitazone. The potential risk

of liver injury with pioglitazone is not known at this time. It is

important that you keep all appointments with your doctor and the

laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests before and

during your treatment to check your response to pioglitazone. You will

have these tests before you begin to take pioglitazone, and then every

2 months for the first year of therapy. After the first year, these

tests will be done less frequently.

Call your doctor during periods of stress, such as fever, trauma,

infection, or prolonged illness. Your medications may need to be

adjusted.

Pioglitazone may cause a slight decrease in red and white blood cells.

Before you have any laboratory test, tell the laboratory personnel and

your doctor that you take this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any

questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

ASHP Logo

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer -

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ashpdisclaimer.html

The MedMaster Patient Drug Information database provides

information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System

Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, land CopyrightC 2001. All Rights

Reserved.

Note: Licensed content is for personal use only. Do not forward this e-mail

to mailing lists or distribute it for commercial purposes. See our copyright

statement (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/copyright.html) for more

information.

From MedlinePlus (http://medlineplus.gov), 24 Hour Health Information.

To receive weekly e-mail announcements from MedlinePlus containing links to

new health topics and sites, sign up at

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/medlineplus/listserv.pl?lang=EN.