Actos

Actos (pioglitazone) is an effective medication used by people suffering from diabetes mellitus (the non-insulin dependent kind). It is supposed to be taken regularly to help the patient using it control blood sugar levels more effectively. You are not supposed to start your treatment before discussing your health condition with your doctor in detail making sure you mention any of the following problems that may be important in determining your dose of Actos: liver disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, history of heart attack, and history of stroke. Always take this medicine as prescribed and avoid combining it with other drugs without your doctor’s knowledge. The following medications can cause low blood sugar levels affecting the way you feel: monoamine oxidase inhibitors, sulfa drugs, aspirin, and probenecid. At the same time, there are some medicines that can raise your blood sugar levels. Do not combine Actos with drugs that in combination can cause high blood sugar. The following ones have been reported to do that: thyroid medicines, birth control pills, diet pills, steroids, isoniazid, seizure medicines, medicines to treat asthma, phenothiazines, diuretics, and colds or allergies medicines. Both mild and serious side effects are possible when you are using Actos. Such mild side effects as sneezing, runny nose, signs of cold, muscle pain, tooth problems, and headache are usually short-lived and you don’t need to call your doctor about them. More serious side effects need to be reported as soon as possible and can include: urinating more than usual, chest pain, blurred vision, increased thirst or hunger, rapid weight gain, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, easy bruising or bleeding, and pale skin. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, stop the treatment and seek emergency medical help. Hypoglycemia can be a result of an overdose of Actos, and severe hypoglycemia can be fatal. The following are symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): dizziness, fainting, headache, sweating, fast heartbeat, irritability, drowsiness, confusion, weakness, and seizure. Keep this medicine in some place where it will not be accessed by people to whom it was not prescribed. Actos is a prescription medicine and the dose you are taking is based on your individual needs. It may need to be adjusted to suit the needs of some other person, even if the symptoms are the same.