Pioglitazone

Generic name: pioglitazone (oral) [ PYE-o-GLIT-a-zone ]
Brand name: Actos
Dosage form: oral tablet (15 mg; 30 mg; 45 mg)
Drug class:Thiazolidinediones

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 11, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is pioglitazone?

Pioglitazone is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. You should not use pioglitazone if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (especially when lying down), unusual tiredness, swelling, or rapid weight gain.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to pioglitazone, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled heart failure; or

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure or heart disease;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• eye problems caused by diabetes;

• bladder cancer; or

• liver disease