About ACTOS

ACTOS and blood sugar (glucose)

The main goal of type 2 diabetes treatment is to keep your blood sugar level within a target range. The American Diabetes Association recommends the following blood sugar goals for people with diabetes:

  • Before meals: Your premeal blood glucose should be between 90 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL.
  • After meals: Your highest postmeal (1 to 2 hours after eating) blood glucose should be less than 180 mg/dL.
  • Your average blood sugar for the last 2–3 months (A1C): Your A1C should be less than 7%.

Reasons for high blood sugar levels

Healthy eating and physical activity are always essential to help meet these goals, but despite your best efforts, your blood sugar could end up out of control due to one or more of the following factors:

  • Stress or illness.
  • Change in diet.
  • Limited physical activity.
  • Need for medication or adjustment of medication.
  • Forgetting to take diabetes medication as prescribed.

People with type 2 diabetes still produce insulin, but either their body doesn’t respond to insulin’s action (it’s resistant) or there isn’t enough insulin. ACTOS, along with healthy eating and physical activity, helps to lower your blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance.

Next: ACTOS, cholesterol, and blood fats (triglycerides)

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.