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Pioglitazone is a medication prescribed by doctors to patients who have type 2 diabetes. It is a condition in which our body has lost its capability to use insulin normally. This causes an uncontrolled amount of sugar in the blood. But when an adult type 2 diabetes patient uses Pioglitazone along with the diet and exercise. It helps them to improve the control of their blood sugar. This medicine is not recommended for type 1 diabetes patients.
Besides all of that, there are also some pioglitazone side effects that one should never ignore. In this article, we are going to explore every essential thing about this medicine. Keep reading…
Before we dive into the article, always remember: Consumption of pioglitazone can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have heart failure or you had in your life history, make sure to tell your doctor. Also, you should communicate to your doctor if you have or ever had the following health issues:
- Swelling of hands, arms feet, lower legs, and ankles
- Born with a heart defect
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Fat in the blood
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Sleep apnea
- Coronary artery
If you have or ever had any of the following cases, most likely your doctor will not let you take Pioglitazone or they may monitor you very closely during the treatment.
What Are The Pioglitazone Side Effects?
There are many pioglitazone side effects Some side effects may be severe and some may not. Here are the side effects of this medicine:
- Headache
- Gas
- Sore throat
- Feeling pain in the legs or arms
- Feeling pain in the muscles
These are the side effects that tend to go away. But if they don’t or are very severe inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Some more side effects that you may notice after taking pioglitazone.
- Upper respiratory infection
- Low blood sugar level
- Aggravated diabetes
- Breath shortness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Dark Urine
- Feeling unwell
- Yellow eye and skin
- Lack of energy
- Unusual bleeding
Here are some severe side effects that may occur:
- Loss or changes in vision
- Pain in the stomach and back
- Bloody, colored, or discolored urine
- Difficulty in urination
If you experience these serious side effects of pioglitazone, reach out to your doctor immediately.
In fact, if your doctor has prescribed you pioglitazone, then there are very less chances that you may notice any kind of serious side effects. Because most probably your doctor has advised you to take this medicine simply because the benefits are much greater for you than the side effects.
Lastly, the side effects mentioned here were not the only ones. You should talk to your doctor to know more about the side effects of pioglitazone.
What Studies Has To Say On Pioglitazone Side Effects
Clinical studies were conducted on the pioglitazone side effects. The following result came out:
- Many people who took pioglitazone for more than a year developed bladder cancer compared to those who did not take this medicine.
- It was also found in the studies that many women who consumed pioglitazone had more risk of developing fractures than women who didn’t consume pioglitazone.
- Men also who consume pioglitazone had more risk of developing fractures than men who didn’t consume this medicine.
Are There Any Precautions To Consider Before Taking Pioglitazone?
Here are a few precautions that you must follow if you are or going to take pioglitazone.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be. Also, tell them if you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant during the treatment, contact your doctor. Also, breastfeeding is not recommended during the treatment, according to MedlinePlus.
Pioglitazone contains some ingredients that can lead to some allergic reaction. So before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you are allergic to those ingredients. Also, tell them if you have any other allergies.
If you will be having any kind of surgery in the future, tell the doctor that you are taking pioglitazone. This also includes dental surgeries.
You should also limit the consumption of alcohol as it can result in low blood sugar.
You should also inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are already taking or will be taking any other medications, herbal products, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. There is a possibility that your doctor may have to make some changes in the treatment if you are taking any other medication.
Talk to your doctor about if you get ill, experience usual stress or develop an infection after the consumption of pioglitazone. As these health issues can affect blood sugar so a few changes might be required in the treatment.
Open up to your doctor about all the health issues you had in the past. This includes any heart disease, bladder cancer, swelling, fluid in the lungs, eye problems, or liver disease.
WebMD has recommended not to do any activity that needs full attention and clear vision. Because high or low blood sugar levels can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision too. So, avoid such activities until and unless you feel completely fine.
How To Use Pioglitazone?
Firstly, make sure you don’t ignore the medication guide given by your pharmacist, read it very carefully.
Pioglitazone is a medicine that is taken orally. You can take it with or maybe without food as described by your doctor. You should take this medicine daily at the same time every day.
Most likely your doctor may get started with a low dose and then may increase it slowly. Make sure that you don’t increase or decrease the dose by yourself. Always follow your doctor’s prescription. If you don’t, it can lead you to some problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Will It Take For Pioglitazone To Cure My Blood Sugar?
First of all, pioglitazone will not cure your type 2 diabetes but it can control it.
In approximately 2 weeks, you will start noticing a decrease in blood sugar. And in 2 to 3 months, you will notice the full effect of this medicine. It is recommended to continue taking Pioglitazone even if you are feeling fit. Don’t stop consuming it without consulting your doctor.
Do I have To Make Changes In My Diet?
Yes, it is recommended to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and also try to lose weight if necessary. All these things make pioglitazone more effective and help to control your diabetes. Also, if you consume alcohol, try to limit it.
What Are The Other Uses Of Pioglitazone?
Doctors recommend this medicine for other uses too. Talk to them for more details.
What To Do If I Miss a Dose Of Pioglitazone?
Take the medicine as soon as possible if you remember the same day. But if you remember till the next day, skip that dose and start taking the medicine regularly.
Remember: Do not double down the doses if you missed one as it can cause complications.
What To Do If I Accidentally Take Too Much Pioglitazone?
If you have consumed too much Pioglitazone by mistake, contact your doctor immediately. Or you can also go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital to your home.
What Are The Most Common Pioglitazone Side Effects?
- Irregular heartbeat
- Weight gain
- Problem in teeth
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in urination
- Pain in the chest
- Swelling in the face feet, lower legs, and fingers
- Extreme fatigue
Final Thoughts
If you are consuming pioglitazone, don’t share this medicine with anyone.
During treatment, try to opt for a healthy lifestyle. Start exercising, eat a healthy diet. If you consume alcohol, try to limit it and stop smoking completely.
It is also recommended for you to start attending diabetes education programs. There you can learn more about managing diabetes. Make sure you don’t forget to talk to your doctor about pioglitazone side effects.
