Pioglitazone (Actos) is a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic.

Take Pioglitazone (Actos) exactly as directed.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pioglitazone (Actos).

Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Headache; muscle aches; sore throat; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; symptoms of heart failure (eg, shortness of breath; sudden unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes; unexplained nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; stomach pain); symptoms of low blood sugar (eg, anxiety, increased sweating, dizziness or drowsiness, headache, chills, tremors, increased hunger); unusual tiredness or weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.

Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Gemfibrozil, insulin, or oral antidiabetic medicines (eg, glipizide) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
Rifampin because it may decrease Pioglitazone (Actos)'s effectiveness, resulting in high blood sugar
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because their effectiveness may be decreased or the risk of their side effects may be increased by Pioglitazone (Actos)

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pioglitazone (Actos) may interact with other medicines that you take.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have diabetic ketoacidosis

if you have a history of liver problems, abnormal liver function tests, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), or eye or vision problems

if you have swelling problems (edema)

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Treating type 2 diabetes in certain patients. Pioglitazone (Actos) is used along with diet and exercise.

Pioglitazone (Actos) medication may be prescribed for other uses.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Carry an ID card at all times that says you have diabetes.

Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.

Talk with your doctor about how to control your blood sugar.

Pioglitazone (Actos) may cause ovulation in women who have not reached menopause but do not ovulate. Be sure to use effective birth control while using Pioglitazone (Actos).

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take
Pioglitazone (Actos) before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Pioglitazone (Actos) may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

If you have any questions about Pioglitazone (Actos), please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.