The generically named drug pioglitazone is marketed in the United States under the brand name Actos. It is a prescription-only medication that is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The medicine may be prescribed by itself or in a combination with a sulfonylurea medication, metformin or insulin. Exercise and a specific diet generally are prescribed along with Actos for treatment of the disease. It is administered as a pill.
Pain and Swelling
Taking Actos may induce a number of common serious side effects. For example, you may experience pain in your chest. Parts of your body also may swell under the influence of Actos. For example, swelling may occur in the lower portion of your legs or elsewhere, such as in your feet, fingers and face. Even though these may not appear to be serious problems, the Mayo Clinic states that they are and that they should be reported to your physician immediately to get medical aid.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is the medical term for any abnormal beating of your heart, whether it is slow, fast or irregular. In the case of Actos, the most common form of arrhythmia that is a side effect is having an irregular heart rate. The National Institute of Health reports that pioglitazone and medications similar to it have the potential to worsen or cause congestive heart failure. This is serious, so explain the problem to your physician immediately.
Low Blood Sugar
Actos is prescribed to lower the level of glucose, a sugar, in your bloodstream. It can, however, cause hypoglycemia, which is a low blood sugar, the National Institutes of Health reports. If you are diabetic, you probably check your blood sugar levels daily, so seeing a level that is considerably lower than normal should tell you to seek medical help. Symptoms of a low blood sugar level include hunger, weakness, sweating and dizziness among others. If it is left untreated, it can lead to unconsciousness, seizures and mental confusion, NIH states.
Abnormal Breathing
Taking pioglitazone also can cause respiratory problems that are classified as serious common side effects. For example, your breathing may become irregular, or you may be short of breath when taking Actos. You may feel as though your chest is tight and you may make a noise that is high-pitched when breathing.
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