pioglit (PIOGLITAZONE)

What is Pioglit?
Pioglit is a medication used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

What is the usual dose of Pioglit?
Pioglit comes in pills of 15mg, 30mg, and 45mg. Doctors don't usually prescribe it for kids. The right dose for adults isn't listed here, so you must ask your doctor.

How do I take Pioglit?
Take one Pioglit tablet every day. It doesn't matter if you take it with or without food. You don't need to change your diet because of this medicine.

For how long do I take Pioglit?
Pioglit is usually taken long-term as prescribed by a doctor.

What disease or symptom is Pioglit used for?
Pioglit tablets help manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. They work best when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. They are *not* used for type 1 diabetes or a serious diabetes complication called diabetic ketoacidosis. People with liver problems should use them carefully, under a doctor's close supervision.

How long does it take for Pioglit to start working?
The medicine Pioglit works to lower blood sugar. It takes about a week for the right amount of medicine to be in the body. In a long study (26 weeks), people taking different doses of Pioglit (15, 30, and 45 mg daily) had better blood sugar levels compared to people taking a dummy pill (placebo).

Is Pioglit effective?
Pioglit is a medicine that helps your body use insulin better. Insulin helps sugar get into your cells for energy. Studies show that taking Pioglit, either alone or with other diabetes medicines like metformin or insulin, lowers blood sugar levels.

How do I know if Pioglit is working?
Studies showed that the medicine Pioglit helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels. Compared to a sugar pill or other diabetes medicines, Pioglit improved blood sugar readings (HbA1c and FPG) whether it was used alone or with other diabetes medications.

How does Pioglit work?
Pioglit is a diabetes medicine that helps your body use its own insulin better. It works by making your liver and muscles more sensitive to insulin, so they can take in more sugar from your blood. This happens because it activates special receptors that control how your body handles sugar and fat. Importantly, it needs your body to already be making insulin for it to work; it won't lower blood sugar on its own.

Who should avoid taking Pioglit?
Pioglit is a medicine with serious possible side effects. It can worsen heart problems, cause swelling and weight gain from fluid buildup, and increase the risk of bladder cancer. Don't take it if you have severe heart problems or allergies to its ingredients. If you experience swelling, trouble breathing, rapid weight gain, unusual tiredness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, or blood in your urine, tell your doctor right away.

Can I take Pioglit with other prescription drugs?
Pioglit is a medicine affected by other medications. Some medicines, like gemfibrozil and ketoconazole, make much more Pioglit stay in the body. Others, like rifampin, make less Pioglit stay in the body. Warfarin and digoxin are also slightly affected, with warfarin levels going down a little and digoxin levels going up a little. This means the doses of other medications may need to be adjusted when taken with Pioglit to avoid problems.

Can Pioglit be taken safely while pregnant?
It’s not typically recommended during pregnancy. Consult your doctor.

Can Pioglit be taken safely while breastfeeding?
We don't know if the medicine Pioglit passes into breast milk, how it might affect a baby, or if it changes how much milk a mother makes. Animal studies aren't always a good guide for what happens in humans. Doctors need to weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the mother's need for the medicine and any possible risks to the baby.

Is Pioglit safe for the elderly?
In older adults, the body processes Pioglit a little differently and slower than in younger adults. While it stays in their system longer, and at slightly higher levels, this difference isn't a big enough deal to cause problems. However, doctors don't know enough about how it works in children, so it's not given to them.

How should I store Pioglit?
Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Make sure the container is closed tightly.

Does Pioglit make people tired or drowsy?
Tiredness is a possible side effect but not very common.

Does Pioglit cause stomach upset?
Yes, it may cause mild stomach upset in some people.

Does Pioglit affect sleep?
It’s not known to directly affect sleep.

Does Pioglit make it hard to think or concentrate?
No, this is not a typical side effect.

Does Pioglit affect mood?
Mood changes are not commonly reported.

Does Pioglit interfere with sexual function?
It does not directly interfere with sexual function.

Does Pioglit affect appetite?
It may increase appetite in some cases.

Does Pioglit cause weight gain?
The medicine Pioglit can make you gain weight. This is because it can cause your body to hold onto extra water and store more fat. A study showed people taking it gained, on average, about 8 pounds more than those taking a sugar pill. If you gain weight quickly or notice swelling, tell your doctor right away.

Does Pioglit cause headaches?
Some people taking the medicine Pioglit get headaches. If you get a headache while taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Does Pioglit limit driving?
Pioglit can sometimes cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar makes you feel dizzy and lightheaded, which isn't safe for driving. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded while driving, stop driving right away and call your doctor.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Pioglit?
Alcohol may increase the risk of low blood sugar. Use with caution.

Is it safe to drink coffee or tea while taking Pioglit?
Yes, these do not interfere with the drug.

Is it safe to exercise while taking Pioglit?
Pioglit helps control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, but it's best used with diet and exercise. It can cause swelling and weight gain, which might make it harder to exercise. Also, it can make heart problems worse, so you might not be able to exercise as much if you have heart issues.

What are Pioglit possible harms and risks?
Pioglit can cause common problems like stuffy nose, headache, and sore throat. More serious problems, though rare, include heart failure, swelling, and broken bones. It can also cause muscle aches, sore throat, and low blood sugar (which feels like dizziness, shakiness, or hunger). There's also a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer.
Available in 3 variations

Pioglit 7.5mg Tablet 10s
Pioglitazone (7.5mg)
strip of 10 tablets

Pioglit 30mg Tablet 10s
Pioglitazone (30mg)
strip of 10 tablets

Pioglit 15 Tablet
Pioglitazone (15mg)
strip of 10 tablets