About ACTOS

Is ACTOS right for you?

Answer these questions and share them with your health professional to find out if ACTOS may be right for you:

  1. Are your premeal blood sugar levels consistently above 130 mg/dL?
  2. Are you having problems managing your diabetes with healthy eating and physical activity alone?
  3. Are you having problems managing your diabetes with your current medications?
  4. Do you prefer taking a medication only once a day?
  5. Are you interested in a diabetes medication that may provide some improvements in HDL (good) cholesterol and triglyceride levels in addition to helping to manage your blood sugar?

If you have type 2 diabetes and answered yes to any of these questions, ask your health professional if ACTOS is right for you. Remember, only your health professional can determine the best treatment for you.

Next: How ACTOS works

To learn more about ACTOS, please see the ACTOS Complete Prescribing Information.

Management of type 2 diabetes should also include nutritional counseling, weight reduction as needed, and exercise.

While ACTOS may provide some lipid benefits, ACTOS is not intended as a substitute for cholesterol medications.

The effect of these lipid changes on morbidity and mortality have not been determined.

Please see Important Safety Information, including warning about heart failure, below.

Important Safety Information About ACTOS® (pioglitazone HCl)

The prescription medication ACTOS is used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. ACTOS is taken once daily either alone or in combination with insulin, sulfonylureas, or metformin.

ACTOS is not for everyone. Certain patients with heart failure should not start taking ACTOS. ACTOS can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience rapid weight gain, fluid retention, or shortness of breath.

Do not take ACTOS if you have active liver disease. Your doctor should perform a blood test to check for liver problems before you start ACTOS and periodically thereafter. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin. If you are of childbearing age, talk to your doctor before taking ACTOS, as it could increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Some people taking ACTOS may experience flu-like symptoms, mild-to-moderate swelling of legs and ankles, and anemia. Some people, particularly women, are at higher risk of having bone fractures while taking ACTOS. When taking ACTOS with insulin or sulfonylureas, you may be at risk for low blood sugar. Patients with diabetes should have regular eye exams. If you experience vision problems, consult your doctor immediately. Very rarely, some patients have experienced visual changes while taking ACTOS.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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