Pioglitazone Helps a Person with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Pioglitazone is a prescription drug. It is a medication for people with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the class of thiazolidinediones, an anti-diabetic drug.

Pioglitazone reduces the amount of glucose in the blood. You can use the medication alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic drug. But it will work well along with exercise, proper diet and regular blood sugar check-up.

Regulating your blood sugar reduces your chances of having:

• nerve damage
• blindness
• kidney damage
• loss of limbs
• sexual function problems
• eye problem
• stroke

What are the uses of Pioglitazone?

Pioglitazone can lower the sugar level of a person with diabetes mellitus type 2. However, it does not work with diabetes mellitus type 1. Diabetes type 1 is a state in which the body does not produce insulin.

How does Pioglitazone works?

When your body cannot make enough insulin you’ll end up having type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, your body cells respond less to insulin. This will cause your body cells to take up less glucose thereby increasing your blood sugar level.

Pioglitazone works by restoring your body’s proper response to insulin. It causes the cells in the body to become more sensitive to insulin by attaching itself to the insulin receptors. This will allow the hormones in your body to work more efficiently. As a result, more glucose is removed so your blood sugar level will decrease.

What is the dosage of Pioglitazone?

A Pioglitazone oral tab comes in 15 mg to 45 mg.

The recommended dosage for:

• Patient with heart failure is 15 mg once a day.
• Patient without heart failure is 15 mg or 30 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose in 15mg -45 mg daily. The maximum dose is 45 mg.

How to use Pioglitazone?

• Follow your doctor’s prescription. Your doctor may change your dose base on your medical condition.
• Take Pioglitazone orally with or without meal.
• Follow your meal plan and exercise program prescribed by your physician.
• Check your blood pressure often.

What are the precautions in taking Pioglitazone?

Before taking Pioglitazone:

• Inform your doctor if you are allergic to
• Inform your doctor about your medical history such as: heart disease, kidney problem, bladder problem, anemia and liver problem.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Pioglitazone causes changes in menstrual cycle. This can increase your risk of getting pregnant.
• Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Costs of Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone is cheaper than the brand name Actos. Pioglitazone 15 mg costs $0.43 only per unit price or $13.00 for 30 pills. While the branded Actos 15 mg costs $13.51 per unit price or $405.85 for 30 pills.