Actos prescribing information |
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Actos description
Actos is used to reduce blood sugar in people with non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. It does so by increasing the sensitivity of specific organs to insulin, enabling them to utilize sugar faster hence decreasing the concentration of glucose in the body. It also maintains the functioning of the pancreas cells responsible for insulin production and decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
About the drug
Diabetes is a condition whereby the body either produces too little or no insulin or the body’s ability to utilize insulin is compromised. In non insulin dependent diabetes also called type2 diabetes, the insulin producing cells in the pancreas produces too little insulin and the little insulin being produced is not being taken up efficiently by the body hence there is an abnormal rise in glucose level in the body. Actos acts by increasing the sensitivity of the organs responsible for sugar uptake to insulin and this results in increased glucose uptake hence a decrease in blood glucose level. In the process actos also maintains the functioning of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas and decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
How to take
For some type2 diabetic patients with weight control problems exercise and diet can help decrease the blood glucose. Where this does not suffice, anti-diabetes drugs such as metformin are recommended to achieve such control. However some people are unable to take metformin; actos is therefore recommended. Actos can be used as a single therapy or in combination with exercise and controlled diet. The drug is not to be used in people with heart failure records, diabetic ketoacidosis, liver malfunction, having kidney dialysis, Pregnancy, breastfeeding, actos tablets contain lactose therefore should not be used in people with problems of galactose absorption or intolerance. There is insufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of actos in children, therefore should not be used by this age group. Actos can be taken once daily with or without meals. For patients with no complicated conditions, 15mg to 30mg is the recommended starting dose while for patients with congestive heart failure the daily dose is 15mg. Where required the dose can be gradually increased from 15mg to up to 48mg depending on the body’s response. While taking actos at the early stage and during dose increment, your doctor will monitor your response and check for any reaction to the drug.
Overdose
Although in the single case of overdose reported the patient admitted no clinical symptoms following overdose. It is nonetheless recommended that you seek medical attention once you suspect overdose.
Contraindications
Actos therapy should not be initiated in patients with NYHA III or IV heart failure. It should also not be used in anyone who has shown severe reactions to actos or any of its ingredients.
Possible side effects
Actos causes fluid retention and this in turn results in a number of side effects. Liver problems are indicated by nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eye. Should you notice any of this seek immediate medical attention. Other serious side effects include bone fracture, hypoglycaemia, macula edema, ovulation increasing the chance of pregnancy and bladder cancer. More common side effects include headache, respiratory tract infection, sinus infection, muscle pain, and sore throat.
Drug Interactions
Prior to initiating actos therapy inform your doctor of any medication you are taking. Actos may interfere with insulin and other diabetes drugs.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
The safety of actos in pregnant women is yet to be established therefore should not be taken if you are pregnant. Insulin is used for glucose control in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes.
Drugs can get into the breast milk therefore actos should not be taken while breastfeeding,
Ingredients
Actos contains pioglitazone hydrochloride as an active ingredient. Inactive Ingredients are lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, and magnesium stearate.
Storage
Keep in original container away from light at a temperature between 15 and 30C. Drug should be protected from moisture and humidity. Keep out of reach of children.
Actos notes:
Having the generic name Pioglitazone, and manufactured by Takeda, Actos is an oral anti diabetic agent that acts primarily by decreasing insulin resistance. Belonging to the class of drugs called thiazolidinedione (TZD), actos is a once-daily oral medication that, with diet and exercise, has been shown to be effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It also helps to control blood sugar levels in your body by reducing insulin resistance; a condition in which your body’s cells don’t respond to a hormone (called insulin) that allows them to turn blood sugar into energy. There are certain things which are crucial to consider and be aware of before using actos. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, other thiazolidinediones or any of components of its pharmaceutical forms must avoid this drug. Using it in diabetes mellitus type 1 and diabetic ketoacidosis can prove ineffective or even harmful and its safety in pregnancy, lactation (breastfeeding) and people under 18 is still not grounded. Actos is avaialble in the form of oral tablets containing 15, 30 or 45 mg of pioglitazone base. Actos can reportedly have side effects on female patients such as incidence of fractures of the upper arms, hands and feet in female diabetics.
Actos review article...
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Antidiabetic agents
 Actos prescribing information
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