Generic name: pioglitazone (oral) [ PYE-o-GLIT-a-zone ]
Brand name: Actos
Dosage form: oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg)
Drug class: Thiazolidinediones

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 13, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is pioglitazone?

Pioglitazone is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pioglitazone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pioglitazone and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of liver damage: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Pioglitazone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, rapid weight gain;

• pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, new or worsening urge to urinate;

• changes in your vision; or

• sudden unusual pain in your hand, arm, or foot.

Some people taking pioglitazone have had bladder cancer, but it is not clear if pioglitazone was the actual cause.

Common side effects of pioglitazone may include:

• headache;

• muscle pain; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, or rapid weight gain.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use pioglitazone if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled heart failure; or

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure or heart disease;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• eye problems caused by diabetes;

• bladder cancer; or

• liver disease.

Pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, but not treating your diabetes can also damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.

Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.

Pioglitazone may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.

Women may be more likely to have a broken bone while using pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Pioglitazone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take pioglitazone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Pioglitazone is usually taken once daily, with or without food.

You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).

Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Pioglitazone is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Pioglitazone dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:

-Patients without congestive heart failure:
Initial dose: 15 mg or 30 mg orally once a day
-Patients with congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class I or II):
Initial dose: 15 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: 15 mg to 45 mg orally once a day based on glycemic response as determined by HbA1c
Maximum dose: 45 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-This drug exerts its antihyperglycemic effect only in the presence of endogenous insulin and therefore is not expected to be effective in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis.
-Patients concomitantly receiving an insulin secretagogue or insulin may need to reduce the dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin if hypoglycemia occurs.

Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings

Related/similar drugs

Mounjaro, Ozempic, metformin, Trulicity, Lantus, Tresiba, Basaglar, Levemir

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

What other drugs will affect pioglitazone?

Tell your doctor if you use insulin. Taking pioglitazone while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.

Many drugs can affect pioglitazone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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