What is Actos 30 mg used for?
The white, round pill with the imprint ACTOS 30 is White, Round and has been identified as Actos 30 mg. It is supplied by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
Pioglitazone is a type of diabetic medication (thiazolidinedione-type, often known as “glitazones”) that, in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, is prescribed to people who have type 2 diabetes in order to bring their high blood sugar levels under control. It does this by assisting in the restoration of your body’s normal reaction to insulin, which in turn lowers your blood sugar levels. Keeping high blood sugar under control can help prevent kidney disease, blindness, nerve difficulties, limb loss, and problems with sexual function.
Keeping your diabetes under control may also reduce your likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Pioglitazone may be taken alone or in conjunction with one or more of the existing diabetes medicines (such as metformin or a sulfonylurea such as glyburide). Pioglitazone may have both positive and negative effects, therefore it is important to discuss both with your physician.
Uses of ACTOS 30 Pill
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives its approval to prescription medications like Actos for the treatment of specific diseases. Off-label uses of Actos include the treatment of a variety of diseases. When a medication that is authorised to treat one condition is used for the treatment of another condition, this is known as “off-label use.”
Actos for type 2 diabetes
Actos is a diabetic medication that has been given FDA approval to help persons with type 2 diabetes better regulate their blood sugar levels. The drug should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
If you have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous condition that develops when there is an excessive amount of acid in your blood, you should not take Actos.
Type 2 diabetes explained
A condition known as diabetes type 2 is characterized by high levels of glucose (also known as sugar) in the blood of a person.
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by your pancreas, and it is responsible for removing glucose from your bloodstream and assisting you in utilizing sugar as a source of energy. Either your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin to remove the sugar from your blood, which is a symptom of type 2 diabetes, or the insulin that you do have isn’t acting correctly. Because of this, persons who have type 2 diabetes have high levels of sugar in their blood.
It is essential that treatment for type 2 diabetes start as soon as it is diagnosed. A high blood sugar level can put a person at risk for developing serious complications. These include:
- heart disease
- nerve damage, such as neuropathy
- kidney failure
- vision changes, such as macular edema
- foot problems, such as open sores, that can lead to severe infections or amputations
Actos is a diabetes medication that can reduce the amount of sugar that is present in the blood, therefore lowering the risk of diabetic complications.
Side effects
Actos users regularly experience the following side effects:
Common side effects
- headache,
- muscle pain, and
- cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat)
Serious side effects
Actos has the potential to cause certain serious side effects, including:
- shortness of breath (especially when laying down),
- unusual tiredness,
- swelling,
- rapid weight gain,
- pink or red urine,
- painful or difficult urination,
- new or worsening urge to urinate,
- vision changes, and
- sudden, unusual pain in your hand, arm or foot
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, get medical attention right away.
These are not all of the potential side effects associated with using Actos. Please see your physician or pharmacist for further information.
Dosage
Read all of the medication guides or instruction papers that come with your medication, and make sure to follow all of the guidelines that are included on the prescription label. Your physician may decide to adjust your dosage every so often. Always follow the directions on the label when taking medication.
Pioglitazone is typically only administered once daily, and it can be taken with or without food.
It’s possible that you have low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, which can cause symptoms such as feeling extremely hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Consuming or drinking a source of sugar with a rapid onset of action (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda) is the quickest way to treat hypoglycemia .
In the case that you have severe hypoglycemia, your physician may give you a prescription for a glucagon injection kit. Make sure that your immediate family or other close friends are familiar with how to administer this injection in the event of an emergency.
The levels of sugar in one’s blood can be altered by a number of factors, including stress, illness, surgery, physical activity, consumption of alcohol, and failure to eat regularly. Before making any adjustments to your dosage or drug plan, check in with your primary care physician.
Pioglitazone is just one component of a treatment plan that may also involve changes to one’s diet and exercise routine, as well as monitoring of one’s blood sugar levels and specialized medical care. Be sure to carefully adhere to your physician’s recommendations.
Keep away from moisture, heat, and light while storing it at room temperature. If not in use, keep the bottle securely closed.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take your dose of Actos, you should hold off until the time of your next scheduled dose. Never take two doses within the same 24 hour period. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any queries about when you should take your next dose of Actos after missing a dose of the medication.
Try setting a reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget to take your medication at the appropriate time. Additionally, a medication timer might prove to be helpful.
Will I need to use this drug long term?
Actos is intended to be a treatment that is used on a long-term basis. You should plan on continuing to take Actos for the foreseeable future if you and your physician conclude that the medication is beneficial to you while also being risk-free.
Overdose symptoms
Seek immediate attention from a qualified medical professional if you notice any of the following overdose symptoms:
- extreme weakness
- blurred vision
- sweating
- trouble speaking
- tremors
- stomach pain
- confusion
- seizure (convulsions)
Precautions and Contraindications
Actos should probably be avoided by patients who have specific health conditions. Before beginning therapy, you should make certain that your healthcare professional is aware of your complete medical history.
If you currently have or have ever had any of the following conditions, your healthcare practitioner may opt not to prescribe Actos for you, or they may elect to monitor your condition more closely.
- Bladder cancer
- Diabetic eye disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
If you are of childbearing age, the same considerations may apply to you. Actos has been linked to an increased likelihood of pregnancy, even in women who do not experience regular menstrual cycles.
Actos should only be used with extreme caution during pregnancy because there have been no human studies that have been adequately controlled. For some patients, the potential advantages of treatment may still outweigh the possible side effects.
Women who take Actos have a significantly higher likelihood of suffering bone fractures. A study that was published in 2016 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women who took Actos for a period of five years had a 53% increased risk of fractures, the majority of which occurred in the hands, upper arms, or feet.
Interactions with other drugs
Certain drugs, such as insulin or oral diabetes treatments, Nizoral (ketoconazole), midazolam, Procardia (nifedipine), Rifadin (rifampin), and Elixophyllin, can have an adverse reaction when used with Actos (theophylline).
In most cases, drug interactions can be avoided by spacing out dosages over the course of several hours. In some circumstances, it could be necessary to change the dosage or the medication entirely.
There is some evidence that drinking alcohol can lower blood sugar levels. If you drink alcohol, you should consult your healthcare professional about the maximum amount of alcohol that you can safely consume while taking Actos.
