Pioglitazone is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes (a long-term condition in which the body gradually becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin). It helps treat your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar under control.
This medicine is meant to be taken as part of a complete diabetes care programme that should include exercise, a healthy diet and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
Take Pioglitazone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Pioglitazone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- with or a history of heart failure
- diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes causing rapid weight loss, nausea or vomiting)
- with or a history of bladder cancer
- blood in your urine
- liver disease
as Pioglitazone may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- swelling of the hands and legs
- risk factors for heart failure e.g. history of heart attack, coronary artery disease (plaque build up in the wall of the arteries that supply blood to the heart)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your doctor may need to perform blood tests to make sure that your liver function is normal before you take Pioglitazone and thereafter depending on your doctor’s advice.
- Routine monitoring of your blood sugar levels may be done while you are taking this medicine. Your doctor will advise you on how often you need to have it checked.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of liver injury, fluid retention, heart failure, and tumour in the bladder may also be needed.
If you are taking Pioglitazone, especially with other types of oral anti-diabetic medicines, you may have been warned about hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). This medicine itself does not usually cause hypoglycaemia, but it may increase the hypoglycaemic effect of other oral anti-diabetic medicines.
How do I know if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, sweating. These signs are your body’s way of warning you that your blood sugar level is low.
It is important to recognise these symptoms and get relief for hypoglycaemia quickly, as the hypoglycaemia may worsen.
What should I do if I am experiencing hypoglycaemia?
Always carry some glucose tablets (also known as dextrose tablets) with you. Take 15 grams of glucose tablet at the first sign of hypoglycaemia, wait for 15 minutes and re-check your blood sugar level. If you are not feeling better or if your blood sugar level is still low (less than 4 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL), take another 15 grams of glucose tablet.
If you don't have glucose tablets, you may take any of the following:
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of juice or regular soda (not diet)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, or corn syrup
- hard candies, jellybeans, or gumdrops (not sugar-free)
Get medical help should symptoms did not improve after the second serving.
Pioglitazone may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, stomach wind, visual disturbance, joint pain, swelling of hands or feet, and erectile dysfunction (inability for men to attain erection).
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness
- blurred vision, swelling at the back of the eye
- blood in the urine, pain when urinating, sudden need to urinate
- broken bones (especially in females)
- signs and symptoms of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid increase in weight, swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- gemfibrozil (a cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [infection known as tuberculosis])
- topiramate (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizure])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pioglitazone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
It is important for you to maintain a healthy diet and weight in order to help keep your diabetes under control.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet plan with your doctor or dietitian to manage your weight and blood sugar levels.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light, moisture, and humidity.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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