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.

When taken alongside diet and exercise, pioglitazone is used to treat type 2 diabetes, a condition in which people are no longer able to produce insulin to regulate their blood sugar.

Pioglitazone alone is not sufficient to bring your blood glucose levels under control. Your doctor will likely prescribe pioglitazone while also strongly recommending lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, to keep you healthy and your diabetes under control.

While there are some common side effects associated with pioglitazone, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed it because they believe its ability to manage your type 2 diabetes symptoms outweighs any adverse effects it may cause. The common side effects of Pioglitazone include:

Chest tightness or pain Irregular heartbeat Irregular breathing Swelling Decrease in urine output Extreme fatigue Weight gain

Less common side effects include: Pain or swelling of the arms or legs Unusual weakness Unusual bleeding or bruising

Serious side effects include: Congestive heart failure Swelling Fractures

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache Stuffy or runny nose Muscle aches dizziness Cough, sore throat, or dry mouth Fever Nausea Slow heartbeat Dark urine Weight loss Increased thirst Flushed, dry skin Blurred vision

Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly when taking pioglitazone.

This is not a complete list of side effects of pioglitazone. For more information on side effects you may experience, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage on pioglitazone.

Managing type 2 diabetes is a complex process, and it may take up to 2 weeks for Pioglitazone to begin to lower your blood sugar. It may take an additional 2 to 3 months for pioglitazone to take full effect within your body.

While pioglitazone has shown to be effective in managing type 2 diabetes symptoms, it is not a cure for the condition. In fact, no cure currently exists for type 2 diabetes.

If you are taking pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes, the recommended starting dose is 15 mg to 30 mg once daily, taken with or without food. For patients using pioglitazone for congestive heart failure, the recommended starting dose is 15 mg once daily, taken with or without food.

The drug should be taken as directed by the doctor. The dosage of the drug depends on the disease condition, age, weight and other medical conditions of the patient, and may be increased by your doctor based on your reaction to treatment. The drug should be used with caution in patients with the following conditions:

High blood sugar levels Kidney disease Liver disease Lupus Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of Pioglitazone.

Pioglitazone is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not pioglitazone is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.