Pioglitazone is a prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack in patients with coronary artery disease.
Like most type 2 diabetes medications, pioglitazone works best when taken alongside lifestyle changes, including better diet, more exercise, and less use of tobacco.
Nearly 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes, a condition characterized by elevated levels of glucose - or sugar - in the blood. If left untreated, elevated glucose levels can lead to significant damage across the body, causing kidney and eye problems, sexual dysfunction, and more. Doctors prescribe drugs like pioglitazone to help keep patients’ blood glucose - and their diabetes symptoms - in check.