Pioglitazone
Information about Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone uses
It is used in combination with diet and exercise to lower blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
. It is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.How pioglitazone works
Pioglitazone is an anti-diabetic medication. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels.
Common side effects of pioglitazone
Bone fracture, Headache, Sinus inflammation, Bladder cancer, Muscle pain, Upper respiratory tract infection, Bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), Anemia (low number of red blood cells), Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), Edema (swelling), Heart failure, Visual disturbance, Increased alanine aminotransferase, Rhabdomyolysis
Available Medicine for Pioglitazone
Expert advice for Pioglitazone
- Pioglitazone helps to control blood sugar level and avoid long-term complications.
- You should continue to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and take your other diabetes medicines along with Pioglitazone.
- Take it only as per dose and duration suggested by your doctor.
- Full effects may be visible after several weeks of starting Pioglitazone. Keep taking it as prescribed by your doctor.
- Monitor your blood sugar level regularly while taking this medicine.
- Notify your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, heart problems, or any abnormal swelling.
- Your doctor may monitor your liver function. Inform your doctor if you notice symptoms like abdominal pain, yellowing of eyes and loss of appetite.
Frequently asked questions for Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone
Q. Can Pioglitazone cause weight gain?
Pioglitazone commonly causes weight gain which may be dose-related. The reason for this weight gain could be fat accumulation. However, in heart failure patients it could be due to water retention in the body. Therefore, it is important to monitor weight in heart failure cases.
Q. Can Pioglitazone cause heart failure?
Pioglitazone can cause fluid retention which may aggravate or speed up heart failure. The doctor usually starts with the lowest available dose and increases the dose gradually while treating patients who have at least one risk factor for heart failure (previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, elderly). Heart failure is more common when Pioglitazone is used with insulin.
Q. Can you take Pioglitazone and metformin together?
Yes, Pioglitazone can be used with metformin where sufficient blood sugar management was not possible with metformin alone. This combination of medicines can be used in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight patients with poor blood sugar control.