Actos

Actos questions and answers

Learn more about Actos.

Q: how do you take byetta along with metformin and actos? what about if you also take omacor? (order to take?)?
I need to know if i should wait and take the metformin and actos two hours after eating so the byetta doesnt make them ineffective.... also omocor is supposed to be taken before eating , but the byetta would probably not allow it to work correctly....

A: This is something you need to ask your doctor. If your doctor has prescribed these drugs for you, she/he has a plan for you to take it a certain way. Call your doctor and find out...ask questions.

Q: what is the difference between actos met and just Metformin?


A: It a way for actos manufactures trick you into not knowing that actos is no very effective. Metformin is one of oldest , and works the best. Actos and avandia are very expensive. Metformin for me is 2 cents a pill. Which I take 6 a day , plus amaryl for more insulin production. Work fine h1c is 5.6 , Doctor get kick back on actos and avandia. When in america I paid 7 bucks for avandia, 2 bucks in thailand. I found out it was not working. Doctors almost always give Metformin along with it ,so you think avandia is really good. So to answer your question, they are just combining actos and metformin. Many people think the more you pay for a drug ,the better it is.. Not true!!!!!!!!!!

Q: Avandia or Actos, raises blood glucose readings?
Has anybody else had Avandia, Actos or another med raise your blood glucose levels, instead of lowering them like it is supposed to? - Without changing your eating habits - Without changing your daily routine - Numbers went wild or went up consistently What did your doctor tell you to do? What other information did you find out? What can be done to counteract the effect?

A: i was on avandia for about 2 yrs and my sugar was up and down and i got really dizzy after eating. the doc put me on actos 30mgs once a day and i also went to a diabetic clinic for a 4 week course which really showed me how to improve my eating and excersize program. with regular eating the right portions of foods and snacks i found i am a lot better and have more energy than i did before. the snacks help control your sugar especilly before bedtime. even if you are not hungry have a piece of fruit or a few crackers and a chunk of cheese to maintain the blood sugar. if you don't eat right the liver kicks in and your sugar will rise because it thinks you need more insulin in your body. check with a diabetic clinic near you and you will be surprized how many things you don't know about this disease.it is really well worth it.

Q: Dose the drug Actos cause high blood sugar?
I am taking a new diabetic drug called actos. Since I have started taken this I have found my blood sugar has gone sky high. I stopped taking it for 3 days now and I am getting more normal readings. Anyone else experience this?

A: When I was on Actos, my sugars were in control but i gained weight. I then went off of Actos and on Byetta along with metformin.

Q: has anyone ever gained weight on actos or zocor?
i lost twenty pounds on alli, and was doing good, but i am type two diabetic and the doctor put me on Actos and i have been gaining weight, but still sticking to my diet plan. Which medicine could be the culprit???

A: It's the Actos. Under the side effects, it specifically says weight gain may occur. Did the doctor or pharmacy give you a printout of the side effects? It should be hiding somewhere in that long list, otherwise, you can look at their website here: http://www.actos.com/actos/faq.aspx#sideeffects

Q: Actos for diabetes - legs and hands are swollen, does anyone have this problem?
I have been on the medication for about 5 months and started to notice my upper thighs are gaining weight or feel swollen. My rings in the morning are too tight and small. After a few hours I can get my rings on. I have a doctors appt. coming up but wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem?

A: The "glitazone" diabetes drugs Actos and Avandia may double or triple the risk of broken bones after a year or two of use. Over the course of the study, most of the patients took several diabetes drugs. But those who refilled their Actos or Avandia prescriptions eight times or more — about 12 to 18 months of use — had nearly twice the fracture risk of other patients. And those who refilled their Actos or Avandia prescriptions 15 times or more — two or more years of treatment — nearly tripled their risk of fracture, found Christophe R. Meier, PhD, head of pharmacoepidemiology research at University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and colleagues. "We found a very strong signal here for higher risk of fractures in people taking glitazones," Meier tells WebMD. "Our evidence fits together nicely with animal models and clinical reports suggesting that these drugs have a detrimental effect on bone. And we did not find any increased risk for other diabetes drugs, so all together, it looks like something really is going on here." Given that Avandia has also been linked to heart risks, Cauley suggests that patients should try older diabetes drugs before trying either Avandia or Actos. The first thing you need to change is doctors. These 2 drugs are prescribed just for the profit, not for your welfare. Many older , cheaper drugs are the best for diabetes. Tin

Q: Can I mix Actos and Byetta?
I've recently started using Byetta after about 3 years on Actos. I don't know if I will stick with the Byetta (pun intended) due to the inconvenience, especially while travelling, when it might be difficult to keep the medicine refrigerated. Is it possible to switch back to Actos for 2 or 3 days while travelling and then go back to Byetta when I return home? This would only be a concern every 3 or 4 months. I asked the prescribing doctor and he said that he had no idea and suggested I do the research for him and report back. Any thoughts?

A: Hmmm.. I'll help you look into this if you want.... The things to look at are going to be the onset, peak, and duration of each of the drugs. I am very familiar with Actos, however not familiar at all with Byetta. I can do some research and get back to you! This would be useful knowledge to me anyway for my profession. Private message me if you want..... I'll either private messae you when I find something out or repost it thought this answer so keep checking!!

Q: has the diabetic medicane actos ever known to raise blood sugar levels?


A: No, but it's known to contribute to raising risk of heart failure. Actos is supposed to lower insulin resistance. Relying on drugs alone to control blood sugar is nuts. The most effective method, by far, is super healthy diet and plenty of daily exercise. I've read where many people taking Metformin have wondered why it doesn't work. It does work, if you give it some help. But unfortunately, many folks come out of their doctor's office with prescription in hand thinking they can simply take the drug and go on with life as usual. It's not that simple. You have to be proactive.

Q: Actos side affects for Diabetes Type 2?
This medication can cause congestive heart failure to worsen, but for how long? One week, two weeks? Anyone know what the general time frame would be?

A: Your question is unclear. It sounds like you're asking if it eventually stops causing the condition to worsen. If that's what you're asking, it never ceases to exacerbate the condition. As long as you're taking the drug, the risk is increased significantly. "For the study, Winkelmayer's team collected data on more than 28,000 diabetic patients aged 65 and older who were taking Avandia or Actos between 2000 and 2005. Among these patients, 50.3% took Actos and 49.7% took Avandia. After a little more than a year on the medications, 1,869 patients died. The researchers found that patients taking Avandia had a 15% higher rate of death compared with patients taking Actos. In addition, Avandia patients had a 13% greater risk of heart failure than patients on Actos."

Q: Anyone out there experience weight gain from taking Actos for Diabetes?
Hubby has been taking this medication for the past better part of a year and he keeps gaining weight, expecially in midsection..more like a bloating..not like him at all. Will also ask family physician but appointment is a month off yet. A friend had same probem and was treated at John Hopkins and taken off Actos.

A: I gained about 10 pounds over a 4 month period on Actos. My docter switched me to Januvia and now Im losing weight. Actos made me feel bloated and sluggish, I couldnt take it and made my doctor switch me off it.

Q: Is it safe to take Actos in view of the negative propoganda against a similar drug called Avandia.?
Does it cause heart problems like Avandia is supposed to according to New England Medical Journal. Has anyone read the reports in Lancet rebutting the reports in New England Medical Journal

A: I would avoid it: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/prof/2001/actos_hpc-cps_e.html

Q: Name an inducer and inhiboitor for the CYP2C8 (mainly involved in actos metabolism).?
I would also love to learn the effect that the inhibitor and the inducer would have on the AUC (area under the curve) of Actos

A: Inducer: Rimfapin Inhibitor: Montelukast Hope this helps... http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/drugInteractions/tableSubstrates.htm

Q: What is a reasonable retail cost of 30 day supply of 15mg Actos(pioglitazone HCI)?


A: not sure but always check walmart and walgreens I also know you can buy generics online that are sometimes cheaper, look at Low-Cost-Rx.com as another alternative

Q: Actos for insulin resistance?
I have insulin resistance but no issues with high blood sugar. I'm currently dieting (35 down and 40 to go) and on Metformin XR which is helping a ton, but I'm having an awful reaction of diarrhea. I'm thinking of asking the doc to be switched to Actos. Has anyone taken this and liked it? Anyone withOUT weight gain or swelling?

A: Just be aware that Actos is very expensive. If you don't have insurance or are in danger of losing your insurance this might not be the way you want to go.