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| Pronunciation |
|
 (pye
oh GLI ta
zone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Actos™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antidiabetic Agent (Thiazolidinedione) |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to pioglitazone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have active liver disease or yellowing (jaundice) during
troglitazone therapy.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. It can be used
alone or in combination with other diabetic
medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Pioglitazone increases insulin activity in the
body.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time
everyday.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Do not use if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control
while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Weight gain. Could be on the average of 1-6 pounds.
- Swelling.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- May cause ovulation in women who have not being ovulating. If this
occurs then there is a risk of pregnancy if sexually
active.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider. Low blood sugar
causes irritable, shaking, rapid heartbeats, confusion, and sweating. High blood
sugar causes frequent urination, thirst, and weight loss.
- Periodic blood work required. Liver function tests are needed before
therapy and then every 2 months for the first year. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Have an eye exam and visit to the foot doctor every
year.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Low blood sugar or very high blood sugar.
- Fever or signs of infection.
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, dark urine, yellow eyes or
skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture
and humidity.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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