Actos (Pioglitazone Hydrochloride) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 22, 2012

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Diabetes Prevention »

Introduction to diabetes prevention

I'm pretty lucky in my office practice. I have friendly patients who are usually already fairly well informed about their disease. They are also generally willing to have discussions about therapies and options.

What I have noticed (much to my delight) is that there are a growing number of patients coming to me for evaluation BEFORE they actually have developed diabetes, wanting to know how to prevent it. Most of them have seen family members with diabetes go through the process of diagnosis and management. As our attitude towards disease changes, and we learn to focus on prevention, I have more and more to discuss with these patients. Ultimately, I hope to see a paradigm shift where our focus is primarily on prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes. For now, I hope this review provides some information to those of you wanting to make healthy lifestyle changes, and that it encourages you to open up a...

Read the Diabetes Prevention article »

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Actos Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Actos)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Actos)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking pioglitazone (Actos)?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking pioglitazone. Alcohol lowers blood sugar and may increase the risk of hypoglycemia while you are taking this medicine.

What other drugs will affect pioglitazone (Actos)?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking pioglitazone with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

isoniazid;
diuretics (water pills);
steroids (prednisone and others);
phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
birth control pills and other hormones;
seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking pioglitazone with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:

some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
probenecid (Benemid).

The following drugs can interact with pioglitazone:

midazolam (Versed);
gemfibrozil (Lopid);
rifampin (Rifadin);
furosemide (Lasix); or
nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).

This list is not complete and there may be other medications that can interact with pioglitazone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pioglitazone.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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