Pioglitazone: Uses of the drug, indications and notes when taking the drug

Pioglitazone is a type of diabetes medicine (the thiazolidinedione, also known as "glitazones"). The drug enters the body orally, it will help control blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This diabetes drug works by helping to restore your body's response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs and problems with sexual function.
Controlling the disease can help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Pioglitazone is used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications (such as metformin or a sulfonylurea).
2. How to use Pioglitazone Take this Pioglitazone by mouth, can be taken with food to avoid possible stomach upset, the dose is usually once a day. The dose will be based on your medical condition, how well your body responds to treatment, and any other diabetes medications you are taking. Based on your blood sugar to find the best dose for you. Take the medicine in the right amount and regularly to get the desired effect.
If you are taking certain other diabetes medications (such as metformin or a sulfonylurea), you should talk to your doctor about stopping them. Using the drug will be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Must regularly monitor your blood sugar, if there are abnormalities, especially high blood sugar, tell your doctor to have a plan to adjust the dose of the drug to the most appropriate.

Some unwanted effects may occur when taking this medicine, including:
Sore throat, muscle aches Weight gain Teeth problems Serious side effects, including worsening vision problems (such as blurred vision), broken bones, red urine, urgent urination, painful urination, difficulty urinating. It is possible to develop symptoms of liver disease, including dark urine, yellow eyes, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stomach pain. Less likely side effects include:
Low blood sugar (including sudden sweating, tremors, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness or tingling in the hands, feet. High blood sugar levels include extreme thirst, increased urination, not alertness, drowsiness, flushed face, rapid breathing or fruity breath. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include hives. rash, itching and swelling (especially of the face, tongue and throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.If any of the above effects occur, you should contact your doctor immediately to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to the medicine or its ingredients or have any other allergies. Tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of heart disease (such as congestive heart failure, chest pain), liver disease, lung disease, swelling (edema), anemia, certain eye problems Bladder cancer . Pioglitazone side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur because your blood sugar is too low or too high, so do not drive, use equipment, or engage in any activity that requires you to do so. ask for alertness, concentration or clear vision. Limit alcohol use while taking this medication as it can cause low blood sugar. Before having any other surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about the medications you take. In women, the drug has many bad effects such as increasing the possibility of bone fractures, menstrual cycle disorders, adverse effects on pregnant women and lactating women.

The use of drugs can lead to possible drug interactions, which will reduce or lose benefits from the drug, here are some drugs that you need to be aware of:
Gemfibrozil drugs, rifamycins. Beta-blockers (such as metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol) can affect heart rhythm. Many medications can adversely affect your blood sugar, making it harder for you to control. Before you start, stop or change any medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to get the right treatment.

Keep Pioglitazone in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and away from children's and pets' play area. Do not arbitrarily throw the medicine into the environment around you, especially into the water environment.

Reference source: webmd.com