Actos: Understanding the Role in Diabetes Management

Actos is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient pioglitazone. It is used to improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity in the body.

Actos FAQ

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What is Actos used for?

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Dec 14, 2022. What is Actos? Actos is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. Actos is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Is Actos a generic drug?

Actos is available as the generic drug pioglitazone. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know about taking generic pioglitazone. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Who should take Actos?

Actos is intended for adults with type 2 diabetes – particularly overweight diabetic patients – who are unable to control their blood sugar levels through diet and exercise alone or the use of metformin and/or a sulphonylurea. It is designed to be used alongside a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Can Actos be used to treat type 2 diabetes?

Actos can also be used along with other medications to treat type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials, Actos was tested with metformin (Glucophage), insulin, or sulfonylureas. Sulfonylureas are a class of medications used to treat diabetes. (A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.)

What is Actos & how does it work?

What is ACTOS? ACTOS is a prescription medicine used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. ACTOS is a diabetes medicine called pioglitazone that may be taken alone or with other diabetes medicines.

What type of diabetes is Actos used for?

Actos is used for type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Generic Actos is not available in the U.S., but is available in other countries as pioglitazone. What Are Side Effects of Actos? Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

What are Actos side effects?

One of these rare side effects is macular edema, which is fluid buildup in part of your eye. (See the “Actos side effects” section above to learn more.) And before using Actos, it’s important to tell your doctor about any medical conditions or other medications that you take.

Where can I find information about Actos?

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about ACTOS. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about ACTOS that is written for healthcare professionals. For more information, go to www.actos.com or call 1-877-825-3327. What are the ingredients in ACTOS?