Pioglitazone

💊 What is Pioglitazone used for?

• •The label says pioglitazone is used, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may be taken alone or with other diabetes medicines. The label says it should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, because it would not be effective in those settings. The label says to use caution in people with liver disease.

How it works

The label describes pioglitazone as a thiazolidinedione and an agonist for PPAR gamma, a type of receptor in the body. The label says it exerts its blood sugar-lowering effect only in the presence of the body's own insulin. The label does not give further details about how it works.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to take pioglitazone exactly as your doctor tells you. It is taken one time each day, with or without food. Keep following your diet and exercise plan and test your blood sugar regularly, as the label advises. Your doctor may change your dose, so do not change it unless your doctor tells you to. The label says your doctor should check blood tests and HbA1c levels, and should check your eyes regularly, while you take it.

Comes as

• •Tablets in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg strengths. The 15 mg tablets are white to off-white, round, and uncoated, marked with "31" on one side and "H" on the other.

⚠️ Pioglitazone side effects

🛑 Who should not take Pioglitazone, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have severe heart failure. The label says not to take pioglitazone in this case.
• 🚨You are allergic to pioglitazone or any other ingredient in the tablets.
• 🚨You have active bladder cancer. The label says not to use pioglitazone in this case.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your doctor if you have heart failure.
• •Tell your doctor if you have type 1 diabetes or have had diabetic ketoacidosis.
• •Tell your doctor if you have diabetic eye disease that causes swelling at the back of the eye (macular edema).
• •Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. The label says to use caution in people with liver disease.
• •Tell your doctor if you have had or now have bladder cancer. The label says it may increase the risk of bladder cancer and should be used with caution if you have a history of it.
• •Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• •If you are a premenopausal woman who does not have regular periods, tell your doctor. The label says pioglitazone may increase the chance of becoming pregnant, so talk about birth control.
• •Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• •The label says that female patients have an increased rate of fractures, and that bone health should be assessed and maintained under current standards of care.

🔀 Pioglitazone with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Gemfibrozil and other strong CYP2C8 inhibitors can significantly increase pioglitazone levels. The label says the maximum recommended dose is lower when used with gemfibrozil or similar medicines.
• •Rifampin and other CYP2C8 inducers may decrease pioglitazone levels. If one is started or stopped, your diabetes treatment may need to change.
• •Topiramate may decrease pioglitazone levels. The label says your blood sugar control should be monitored when they are used together.
• •When used with insulin or sulfonylureas (insulin secretagogues), the risk of low blood sugar is higher. The label says the dose of these other medicines may need to be reduced by your prescriber.

Alcohol and food

The label says pioglitazone can be taken with or without food. The label does not discuss alcohol.

🤰 Pioglitazone in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says it is not known if pioglitazone can harm an unborn baby. It also says there are risks to the mother and baby when diabetes is poorly controlled during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the label advises talking with your doctor about the best way to manage your blood sugar.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known if pioglitazone passes into breast milk or whether it could harm a baby. If you are breastfeeding or plan to, talk with your doctor about the best way to manage your blood sugar.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed and protect it from light, moisture, and humidity.

If a dose is missed

The label says that if you miss a dose, take your next dose as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not take two doses at one time the next day.

If too much is taken

The label says that if you take too much pioglitazone, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. In clinical trials, one overdose case was reported, and the patient had no symptoms. Treatment is supportive and based on the person's signs and symptoms.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Pioglitazone

• Am I at risk for heart failure while taking this medicine, and what symptoms should I watch for?
• How often will I need blood tests, HbA1c checks, and eye exams?
• What should I do if I get sick with a fever, infection, or injury, or need surgery?
• Could this medicine affect other medicines I take, such as insulin, a sulfonylurea, or gemfibrozil?
• Should I be concerned about bladder cancer or bone fractures with this medicine?
• What birth control options should I consider while taking this medicine?
• What should I do if I think I may have taken too much?

❓ Pioglitazone: frequently asked questions