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Actos
Pronounced: ACK-toes
Generic name: Pioglitazone hydrochloride
Actos is used to control high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. This form of the illness usually stems from the body's inability to make good use of insulin, the natural hormone that helps to transfer sugar out of the blood and into the cells, where it's converted to energy. Actos works by improving the body's response to its natural supply of insulin, rather than increasing its insulin output. Actos also reduces the production of unneeded sugar in the liver.
Actos (and the similar drug Avandia) can be used alone or in combination with insulin injections or other oral diabetes medications such as DiaBeta (Glyburide), Micronase (Glyburide), Glucotrol (Glipizide), or Glucophage (Metformin).
ADULTS
The recommended starting dose of Actos is 15 to 30 milligrams once a day.
If this fails to bring your blood sugar under control, the dose can be increased to a maximum of 45 milligrams a day. If your blood sugar still remains high, the doctor may add a second medication.
When Actos is added to other diabetes medications, your doctor may need to lower their dosage if you develop low blood sugar. If you are taking insulin, the dose should be lowered when blood sugar readings fall below 100. |
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