Drug Name

Actoplus Met (Pioglitazone/Metformin)

Drug Uses

Actoplus Met is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines(Metformin and Pioglitazone) that help control blood sugar levels.

How Taken

Take Actoplus Met exactly as it was prescribed for you.

Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take Actoplus Met with meals. Actoplus Met is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need regular eye exams. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Actoplus Met is a combination of an insulin resistance reducer and a biguanide, used along with a diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in certain diabetic patients.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.

Do not exceed the recommended dose or change your dose without checking with your doctor.

Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor.

Laboratory and/or medical tests such as liver function tests, kidney function tests, fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C), or complete blood counts may be done to check your progress or to monitor for side effects.

Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may affect certain lab test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine.

Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.

If you are scheduled to undergo any x-ray or scanning procedures using injectable iodinated contrast material, be sure to inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine. You will need to temporarily stop taking this medicine around the time of your procedure. Check with your doctor for more information.

Check with your doctor before consuming alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine. Excessive alcohol intake can add to your risk of developing a serious, sometimes fatal condition called lactic acidosis.

For women: this medicine may increase your chance of pregnancy by causing ovulation to resume in women who have not been ovulating. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the use of reliable birth control while using this medicine.

If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. Other therapy may be recommended to control blood sugar during pregnancy.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea, headache, nausea, or stomach upset.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience dizziness, or sore throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience swelling of the hands or feet, unusual tiredness or weakness, muscle aches or pain, sudden weight gain, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, vomiting, yellowing of eyes or skin, loss of appetite, or dark urine.

An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

More Information

Follow the dietary plan provided by your doctor.

Carry an identification card at all times that says you are diabetic.

Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly according to your doctor's instructions.

If your blood sugar level is often higher than it should be and you are taking this medicine according to directions, check with your doctor.

During times of stress, such as fever, infection, injury or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar.

Do not use this medicine for other health conditions.