Generic: pioglitazone hydrochloride

Class: Thiazolidinediones (TZD’s)

Supplied in:15mg, 30mg, 45mg tablets

Action: Actos exerts its antihyperglycemic effect only in the presence of insulin. Actos should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of ketoacidosis. It depends on the presence of insulin for its mechanism of action. Actos decreases insulin resistance in the periphery and in the liver resulting in increased insulin dependent glucose disposal and decreased hepatic glucose output. It is not an insulin secretogogue. Pioglitazone is a potent and highly selective agonist for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma.

Sensitizes: Sensitized cells to action of insulin

Duration: Starts working in 30 minutes and lasts 20 or more hours.

Timing: Take once daily with food

Side Effects: Headache, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection

Precautions: Do not take if you have kidney or liver problems.