Actos
Generic Name: Pioglitazone hydrochloride
Brand Name: Actos
Indications
Actos is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM). It can help to control your blood sugar levels. The symptoms of blood sugar includes-frequent hunger or thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, tingling/numbness in hands or feet, fatigue and so on. It makes the insulin that your body produces to work better.
Dosage and Administration
Actos is available in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg tablets.
Actos should be taken once daily without regard to meals. If Actos upsets your stomach, try taking it with food.
Actos monotherapy in patients not adequately controlled with diet and exercise may be initiated at 15 mg or 30 mg once daily. For patients who respond inadequately to the initial dose of ACTOS, the dose can be increased in increments up to 45 mg once daily. The dose of ACTOS should not exceed 45 mg once daily in monotherapy or in combination with sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin.
Overdose?
Symptoms of over dosage of the drug is not known, but appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated according to the patient's requirement.
Drug Description
ACTOS is used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] or adult-onset diabetes). Pharmacological studies indicate that ACTOS improves sensitivity to insulin in muscle and adipose tissue and inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis. ACTOS improves glycemic control while reducing circulating insulin levels.
Pioglitazone [(±)-5-[[4-[2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,4-] thiazolidinedione monohydrochloride belongs to a different chemical class and has a different pharmacological action than the sulfonylureas, metformin, or the α-glucosidase inhibitors. The molecule contains one asymmetric carbon, and the compound is synthesized and used as the racemic mixture. The two enantiomers of pioglitazone interconvert in vivo. No differences were found in the pharmacologic activity between the two enantiomers. The structural formula is as shown:
Pioglitazone hydrochloride is an odorless white crystalline powder that has a molecular formula of C19H20N2O3S•HCl and a molecular weight of 392.90 daltons. It is soluble in N,N-dimethylformamide, slightly soluble in anhydrous ethanol, very slightly soluble in acetone and acetonitrile, practically insoluble in water, and insoluble in ether.
Side Effects
The common side effects seen are perspiration, headache, tiredness, sore throat, breathlessness and so on. You are advised to consult your doctor if the symptoms persist.
Precautions
- Therapy with ACTOS should not be initiated if the patient exhibits clinical evidence of active liver disease or increased serum transaminase levels
- Use of ACTOS in pediatric patients is not recommended.
- This drug should be used along with proper diet and regular exercise
- if you have edema, heart disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus or have a serious infection.
- You are strictly advised not to take this medication if you are pregnant, and you can consult your physician about your health conditions before taking this drug.
- You should avoid consuming alcohol because it lowers the blood sugar level and may interfere with diabetes treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Actos may reduce the effects of birth control pills and you have to take additional measures for the prevention of pregnancy.
- You have to consult your physician if you are taking ketoconazole (Nizoral) because the drug may interact with pioglitazone.
