Are you also suffering from Type 2 Diabetes? Then your doctor may have prescribed you a medicine called Pioglitazone (pronounced: pio-glitazone). It is very important to be properly informed about this medicine, which is widely used to control diabetes. So, today we will talk about this medicine, how it works, the things to be careful about while using it, and the possible side effects.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this medicine called Pioglitazone works by helping your body's insulin hormone work better. Insulin helps our body's cells absorb glucose. This medicine increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin. This then reduces the amount of extra sugar in the blood, controlling blood sugar levels.
But remember this: This medicine alone is not enough. For best results, it must be combined with a proper diet and exercise regimen .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine for you, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Illness or condition | Inform your doctor if this applies to you. |
|---|---|
| Bladder cancer | If you currently have bladder cancer or have had it in the past. |
| Diabetic ketoacidosis | This is a serious complication of diabetes. If you have this condition. |
| Eye diseases | Conditions such as macular edema caused by diabetes. |
| Heart disease or heart failure | Any type of heart disease or cardiac condition. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have any impairment in kidney or liver function. |
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) | Polycystic ovary syndrome in women. |
| Body swelling | If you have swelling in your hands, legs, or feet. |
| Other types of diabetes | This medicine is for type 2 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to pioglitazone or any other medicine, food, or coloring. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How do you use this medicine?
Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, in the prescribed dosage.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- As much as possible, try to take your medicine at the same time every day .
- Do not take more or less than the amount prescribed by the doctor.
- You may receive a special information leaflet (MedGuide) from the pharmacy when you are given medication. Read it carefully each time.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suspect that you have taken more medicine than prescribed, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or go to the nearest hospital in Colombo.Call the National Poison Information Center located at the National Hospital.
Very important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking may interact with Pioglitazone. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about everything you are taking.
In particular, the following drugs may interact with Pioglitazone:
- Atorvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug)
- Birth control pills or other hormonal methods
- Bosentan
- Itraconazole, Ketoconazole (antifungal)
- Midazolam
- Nifedipine (a medicine for high blood pressure)
- Other medications for diabetes (including insulin)
- Topiramate
In addition, there are many other things that can affect blood sugar levels, such as:
- Alcohol
- Aspirin and similar drugs
- Some types of antibiotics
- Female hormones (such as birth control pills)
- Medications for some heart diseases
- Weight loss medications
- Some cold/cough medicines (they may contain sugar or alcohol)
- Some medications for mental illness
- Painkillers (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen
- Some herbal supplements
- Steroid-type medications (e.g. prednisone)
This list is not complete. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, herbal products you are taking, and whether you smoke or drink alcohol .
Things to consider when taking medication
- Regular check-ups: Keep seeing your doctor to check your condition. Your doctor may want to do blood tests to see if your liver is functioning properly.
- HbA1C test: This is a simple blood test that measures how well you have controlled your blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. Your doctor will perform this test (HbA1C) at specific intervals .
- Blood Sugar Testing: Learn how to check your blood sugar levels at home. Be aware of the symptoms of low (hypoglycemia) and high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels and how to manage them.
- If sugar is low:If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (such as dizziness , sweating, shaking, extreme hunger), keep something that can provide quick sugar (such as a sugar cube, glucose tablet, or candy) nearby. If someone's blood sugar is so low that they become unconscious, do not try to give them anything to eat or drink. This can cause choking. Seek immediate medical attention.
- Heart disease risk: This drug may sometimes increase the risk of heart disease. If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, tightness, pain spreading to the jaw or arm, or difficulty breathing , seek immediate medical attention as it may be a sign of a serious condition.
- Pregnancy: This medication may increase ovulation and pregnancy in premenopausal women with irregular menstrual cycles. Talk to your doctor about using birth control while you are taking this medication. Tell your doctor right away if you think you may be pregnant.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Pioglitazone can cause side effects. Below are some of the possible side effects and what you should do if they occur.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, loss of vision. |
| Heart failure symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Changes in urine | Red or dark brown urine, pain or difficulty urinating, frequent urination. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | General headache. |
| Muscle pain | Body and muscle pain. |
| Cold-like symptoms | Runny nose or stuffy nose. |
How do you store medicine?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the bottle tightly closed and protected from moisture and sunlight.
- Throw away expired medications.
Take-Home Message
- Pioglitazone is a medication used to control type 2 diabetes, along with a proper diet and exercise.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Don't skip doses, but never take a double dose.
- Be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (sweating, shakiness) and high blood sugar and be prepared for them.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, body swelling, or yellowing of the eyes.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Pioglitazone (Pioglitazone / Actos) tablets are a medicine for which disease?
This is a very powerful drug (Thiazolidinedione / TZD class) that helps control high blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetes patients! This is often given to people whose sugar levels do not decrease despite taking pills like Metformin. The specialty is that it does not increase the production of insulin by the pancreas, but instead makes the most of the insulin that is available.
💬 How does this pill (Pioglitazone) lower blood sugar without damaging the pancreas?
This directly attacks our body's fat cells and muscle cells. People with diabetes have closed doors on these cells (Insulin Resistance), so they don't absorb the sugar. What this pill (PPAR-gamma activation) does is forcefully open all the closed doors on those muscle cells and rapidly pull the sugar (glucose) in the blood into the body. Then the blood sugar just drops.
💬 What are the main side effects (Black Box Warnings) of taking this medication?
It is not good for people with weak hearts (Heart Failure) to even put this in their mouth! Because this pill can cause fluid retention (Edema), swollen legs, and water in the lungs, and the patient can even die suddenly. Also, if you drink this for a few months, the patient's weight will definitely increase by a kilo (Weight gain). The other dangerous danger is that some people have been reported to have developed 'Bladder Cancer' from this!
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