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What is Actos?

Actos (generic name pioglitazone) is a medicine for treating people with type 2 diabetes. Actos helps control blood sugar by making the body more sensitive to insulin. It belongs to the same class of medicines as >Avandia (rosiglitazone).

Actos helps control blood sugar whether it's used alone or with other diabetes drugs. It can lower hemoglobin A-1C (one measure of blood glucose control) by 1 to 2.5 percent when used alone. When used with other diabetes drugs, it can lower hemoglobin A-1C an additional 1 percent. Combining Actos and drugs in the sulfonylurea class such as >glyburide (brand name Diabeta) or >glipizide (Glucotrol), >metformin (Glucophage), or insulin has proven effective. These drugs work by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. Since this differs from the way Actos works, these medicines may work well together.

You can take Actos once a day, with or without food.

Due to potential heart risks for some people taking Avandia and Actos, people should ask their doctor about the benefits and risks of these medications but should not stop taking any prescribed medications without first discussing the issue with their healthcare provider.

Sources:
Actos product information, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007

This answer prepared 5/11/2000.
This information updated 6/11/2007.