Actoplus met
Generic Name: Pioglitazone
What is Actoplus met?
Actoplus Met is used to treat people with type 2 diabetes in conjunction with diet, exercise, and, if needed, weight reduction. Actoplus Met contains two medicines, pioglitazone hydrochloride and metformin hydrochloride. In addition, there is an extended-release formulation available called Actoplus Met XR.What is the most important information I should know about Actoplus met?
Actoplus Met may cause or worsen congestive heart failure (CHF) in some people. If you have heart failure with symptoms, you should not take Actoplus Met. If you have less serious CHF, your doctor will determine whether Actoplus Met is right for you. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a rapid increase in weight, swelling or fluid retention (especially in the ankles or legs), unusual tiredness, or shortness of breath or trouble breathing (especially when you lie down).A small number of people who have taken metformin, one of the medicines in Actoplus Met, have developed a serious and potentially fatal condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital. Stop using Actoplus Met and call your doctor right away if you have signs of lactic acidosis: feeling very weak, tired or uncomfortable; unusual muscle pain; trouble breathing; unusual or unexpected stomach discomfort; feeling cold; feeling dizzy or lightheaded; or suddenly developing a slow or irregular heartbeat.
It is important for your liver to be working normally when you take Actoplus Met. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking Actoplus Met and during treatment as needed. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained symptoms such as: nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, unusual or unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness, or hunger may indicate that your blood sugar is too low. This can happen if you skip meals, if you use another medicine that lowers blood sugar, or if you have certain medical problems. Call your doctor if low blood sugar levels are a problem for you.
Ovulation may happen when premenopausal women who do not have regular monthly periods take Actoplus Met. This can increase the chance of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about birth control choices while taking Actoplus Met.
Who should not take Actoplus met?
Do not take Actoplus Met if you have kidneys which are not working properly, have a condition called metabolic acidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin and marked by excessive thirst, nausea, fatigue, pain below the breast bone, and fruity breath), have severe heart failure, or if you are allergic to pioglitazone, metformin, or any other component of Actoplus Met.If you are going to have an x-ray procedure with an injection of dyes in your vein with a needle, talk to your doctor about when to stop Actoplus Met and when to start it again.
What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Actoplus met?
Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Actoplus Met. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have heart failure, have kidney problems, are going to have dye injected into a vein, drink a lot of alcohol, have type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent), are ≥80 years, have a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening medical emergency caused by insufficient insulin), have macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye), have liver problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are a premenopausal woman who does not have periods regularly or at all, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.What is the usual dosage?
The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.Adults: Actoplus Met may be started at either the 15 milligram (mg)/500 mg or 15 mg/850 mg tablet strength once or twice daily. Actoplus Met XR may be started at either the 15 mg/1000 mg or 30 mg/1000 tablet strength once daily. Your starting dose will be based on your current regimen of pioglitazone and/or metformin and will be gradually adjusted according to how you respond to the medication. You should not exceed 45 mg of pioglitazone and 2550 mg of metformin in one day for Actoplus Met. You should not exceed 45 mg of pioglitazone and 2000 mg of metformin in one day for Actoplus Met XR.
How should I take Actoplus met?
Take Actoplus Met with meals and Actoplus Met XR with the evening meal to lower your chance of an upset stomach. Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding diet, exercise, and testing blood sugar levels regularly.Take Actoplus Met XR tablets whole; do not chew, cut, or crush. You may see something that looks like the Actoplus Met XR tablet in your stools; this is normal.
What should I avoid while taking Actoplus met?
Avoid taking in too few calories or skipping meals, especially if you're also engaging in regular strenuous exercise, since this can result in low blood sugar. Also, avoid drinking a lot of alcohol while taking Actoplus Met.Avoid becoming pregnant or breastfeeding while taking Actoplus Met.
What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Actoplus met?
If Actoplus Met is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Actoplus Met with: albuterol, alcohol, amiloride, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, chlorpromazine or other tranquilizers, cimetidine, other diabetes medicines, digoxin, diuretics, estrogens, gemfibrozil, insulin, isoniazid, nifedipine, morphine, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, procainamide, pseudoephedrine, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, rifampin, steroids such as prednisone, thyroid products, trimethoprim, vancomycin, and verapamil.What are the possible side effects of Actoplus met?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.Side effects may include: upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, water retention, headache, nausea, urinary tract infection, sinus infection, dizziness, weight gain
Can I receive Actoplus met if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Actoplus Met should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.What should I do if I miss a dose of Actoplus met?
If you miss a dose of Actoplus Met, take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once.How should I store Actoplus met?
Store at room temperature.
I'm Shereen A. Gharbia, PharmD. Welcome to PDR Health!
