Actos

Actos: an effective medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is a pharmacological drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. It belongs to the group of complementary antidiabetic agents and is manufactured by Eli Lilly in the United States of America. Actos is presented in the form of tablets, each of which contains 30 mg of the active substance pioglitazone hydrochloride.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by impaired processing of glucose in the body. Actos is effective for use both as monotherapy and in combination with other drugs, such as sulfonamide derivatives, metformin and insulin, in the absence of effect from diet therapy, exercise and monotherapy with one of the above drugs.

However, there are some contraindications to the use of Actos. It is not recommended for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1), diabetic ketoacidosis, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or with hypersensitivity to the drug. Also, Actos should not be used for liver diseases in the acute stage or when the level of the ALT enzyme exceeds the norm.

Some side effects may occur when using Actos. These may include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), edema, anemia, and changes in the levels of certain liver enzymes such as AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase.

The interaction of Actos with other drugs should also be taken into account. Sulfonamide derivatives, metformin and insulin can interact with Actos and enhance the hypoglycemic effect. Taking Actos may also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraception.

In case of Actos overdose, symptomatic therapy is recommended. When prescribing Actos to patients with edema and moderate increases in liver enzyme levels, caution should be exercised. No dose adjustment is required against the background of renal failure. If jaundice appears, treatment should be stopped. In premenopausal patients with an anovulatory cycle, taking Actos can cause ovupulation.

It is important to note that the information provided above is current as of my last update in September 2021. You should always consult current sources of information and consult with your healthcare professional or pharmacist for detailed and current information about the use of Actos, including dosage, contraindications and possible side effects.