Actos Pioglitazone HCl - Diabetes

How to take Actos?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Actos.

Actos is usually taken once daily. You may take the medicine with or without food.

Actos is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your doctor may also recommend other medicines to treat your diabetes.

It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need regular eye exams. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Your medication needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious infection, or if you have any type of surgery. Your doctor may want you to stop taking Actos for a short time if any of these situations affect you.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

• hunger, headache, confusion, irritability;

• drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors;

• sweating, fast heartbeat;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.Store Actos at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Missing Actos dose

Actos overdose

What should I avoid while taking Actos

Lexapro side effects

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• chest pain, general ill feeling;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• blurred vision;

• increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual; or

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness.

Continue taking Actos and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• sneezing, runny nose, cough or other signs of a cold;

• headache;

• gradual weight gain;

• muscle pain; or

• tooth problems.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.