Actos Medicine - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

PIOGLITAZONE (Actos™) helps to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It helps your body to use insulin more efficiently and also helps to lower high blood sugar.

Actos is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Actos Dosage

The usual dose to treat type 2 diabetes is 15 to 30 milligrams once a day.

If this dose fails to bring your blood sugar under control, then your doctor may also increased the dose to a maximum of 45 milligrams a day. If your blood sugar still remains high, then the doctor may add a second medication.

Uses of Actos

Pioglitazone is an anti-diabetic drug such as thiazolidinedione-type, also known as "glitazones" and used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

It is also used for other medical conditions those are listed in the medication guide.

Side Effects of Actos

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Before taken Actos medicine, you should discuss the side effects with your doctor. If any develop or change in intensity, then you should inform your doctor as soon as possible. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Actos. Side effects may include:

*Headache
*Hypoglycemia
*Muscle aches
*Respiratory tract infection
*Sinus inflammation
*Sore throat
*Swelling
*Tooth disorder

Warnings and precautions before taking Actos

*Before taking pioglitazone, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; if you are allergic to other "glitazones" such as rosiglitazone; or if you have any other allergies.
*Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have type 1 diabetes, newly diagnosed or worsening heart failure, very high blood glucose, active liver disease.
*If you are taking this medication, then you should use alcohol in limit because it can increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia.
*This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle in women with certain fertility problems. So consult your doctor or pharmacist about the use of reliable birth control while taking this medication.
*Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
*Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
*To make sure that your blood sugar levels stay within the normal range, get regular tests of your blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. Contact your doctor during periods of stress due to fever, infection, injury, surgery, and the like. Dosage of your diabetes medicines may need to be changed.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking Actos with certain other drugs, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of medicine. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Actos with the following:

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

Midazolam (Versed)

Overdose

The effects of a massive Actos overdose are unknown, but any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose with Actos, seek medical attention immediately.

After taken Actos if you feel that overdose is suspected, then you should contact with your doctor immediately.

Alien writes for drugs treatment. He also writes for cymbalta and cymbalta side effects.

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

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