Get Informed: Actos
Active Ingredient(s)
Pioglitazone
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 7:26 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Actos
- Pioglitazone
- Pioglitazone Hydrochloride
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its potential to cause or exacerbate heart failure.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 15 Jul 1999
- Est US Patients*
- 3,776,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Actos or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Actos Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Actos interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Actos used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 25,100 patients that use Actos (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 100% | 
|
How well does Actos work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 25,100 users taking Actos (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 74%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Actos outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Actos.
Common Side Effects of Actos
iGuard regularly polls our more than 25,100 users taking Actos (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
12% of patients experience side-effects on Actos
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Actos
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Grogginess/Confusion, Muscle Pain/Cramps
Global Patient Feedback for Actos (Pioglitazone) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My husband was recently diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 and put on Metformin which debillitated him mentally and physically, he then was put on Actos 15mg and his readings went up, then put on 30mg and they went higher yet. Now they want to try insulan? He's not overweight, he hasn't excercised now because too tired from the Actos which is now causing mental difficulties...Help!
64 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-27 16:57:05
Question/Comment:
I have been taking actos for over a year. (45 mg) I can not tell if it is helping my blood sugars at all but it helps me with my colestoral level. Unlike others have mentioned I see no side effects of weight gain or increased appitite. i tried it with Junuvia for awhile but it didnot do anything.
62 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-07 16:20:07
Question/Comment:
I'm one of those people who had side effects from taking Actos for 19 mths. Weight gain, hard-to-control carb cravings, unexplained muscle aches, etc. The problem was the effects didn't show up on me until after 6 mths, so it may be awhile before you notice the effects based on dosage (I started on low dose 15mg 1 mth and then went to max dose 45mg thereafter) and length of use (19 mths). I was also on a strict diet and exercise routine. After researching online I switched to Janumet in 08/08 which is working better for me w/o the side effects of Actos. Lost the weight, better appetite control, and no muscle aches (I also take a multivitamin). Please do some research online before taking any drug, there is better info on them now than even 3-5 years ago.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-11 17:09:42
Question/Comment:
Does actos have a side effect of pain in your side nearly up under your rib cage? My husband takes actos and he has had some pain on his right side under the rib cage. Could this be a side effect? It is really hard to find the right meds for him because he has high blood pressure and has had pain in his legs and feet in the past. He has had this pain in his side for about a year now. It comes and goes depending on what meds the doctor puts him on. He has been on metformin, avandaryl, glimerpride, glucophage and all sorts of pills. But this has been over time. He doesn't have insurance now and it is hard seeing a doctor. He pays from $65 to $200 every visit.
43 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-15 09:36:45
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Muscle pain and spasms have been reported by less than 1% of iGuard patients taking Actos. It would be good for your husband to write down which medications he was taking each time the pain occurred. The next time he has a doctor's appointment, have him take the list with him and discuss the symptoms with the doctor and which medications seem to be causing them.
Posted: 2009-09-22 00:47:59
Question/Comment:
Its has been two years since finding out I have diabetes 2, Metformin was the first drug I was put on and made me feel horrible. It was replaced by Januvia which worked very well. Insurance issues bumped me off that and now I am taking glimepiride and actos which is managing to control my blood sugar. I do see weight gain though and it is hard to work it off as I go to the gym every day, eat well and see no improvement with the weight. It may very well be simply how it is.
66 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-22 01:57:15
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
81
Patient Comments about
Actos