Actos Diabetes treatment

Actos is a medicine meant to control Blood Sugar Levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes. Actos is for people with type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone is sometimes used in combination with insulin or other medications, but it is not for treating type 1 Diabetes.

ACTOS can be used alone (if diet and exercise are not enough to treat Diabetes) or together with other Anti – Diabetes medicines.

There are some debatable aspects about ACTOS that you should know before you start taking ACTOS. They are:

• Inform your doctor about any of the following conditions so that you can safely take ACTOS.
• congestive heart failure or heart disease;
• fluid retention;
• a history of bladder cancer;
• a history of heart attack or stroke; or
• Liver disease
• You will need to discuss with your doctor about the use of ACTOS as some oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
• Some women using Actos have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.
• Women may also be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking Actos.
• Do not take it if you have a heart failure and require treatment.
• Do not take it if you have very high Blood sugar levels, Type 1 or Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
• Do not take if you are allergic to any medicine containing Pioglitazone.

While there are all these that you need to know about ACTOS there are other situations where you should use ACTOS. Let us read about those as well:

• stomach pain, blood in your urine
• painful urination
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling or rapid weight gain
• chest pain, general ill feeling
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• blurred vision
• increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual
• Pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness

You may be more likely to have hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) if you take Actos with other drugs that can lower blood sugar. So it is always advisable that you take this medicine only with Doctor’s advice, not give to anyone even of the symptoms are the same and discuss the side effects with your doctor before acting on them.

How does Actos treat Diabetes?

• You should make sure that you take Actos exactly as your physician has prescribed you to take. Taking it in larger or smaller quantities just because you don’t feel right is bad. The dosage may be only changed by the doctor only because you are not receiving the desired results.
• Actos is scheduled to be used only 1 daily, which may be before food or after as suggested by your doctor. After your regular intake of the medication your blood sugar levels should be monitored and informed to your doctor periodically.
• It is sensible to always have some sugar material around in case of low blood sugar levels. Your doctor may suggest a fruit or some juice with good sugar quantity. An injection called Glucagon can be purchased if your doctor thinks it is necessary and prescribes it.
• It is also very important to understand your body signs, as they indicate that either your blood sugar levels are normal, high or low.
• Check your blood sugar carefully during a time of stress or illness, if you travel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change.
• If your sugar levels are not controlled please make sure that you discuss the same with your doctor and not make your own assumption of an assumption of your near dear about what is the problem in increasing the dose when you are already on this medication. That may just end up very foolishly.
• Actos is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

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There are certain things you need to know about the Actos lawsuit. Actos, released in 1999, is a drug belonging to the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class, and it is similar to Avandia, another drug used for people suffering from diabetes, and was almost banned in 2007 after being linked to heart attacks and cardiovascular deaths, unfortunately causing the switching of millions of patients to Actos. Takeda Pharmaceuticals manufactures Actos, and is the brand name version of pioglitazone, and in 2010 alone, the drug was taken by over 2.5 million people in the United States, making it to be one of the top 10 best-selling drugs in the country.

If you have Type 2 diabetes then chances are you have heard about the Actos lawsuit. Actos is a popular and commonly prescribed medication for people with Type 2 diabetes that helps them manage their disease through increasing their sensitivity to insulin. While Actos is successful in helping people to manage their diabetes, it has been shown to come with some high risks for bladder cancer and congestive heart disease which is part of the reason an Actos lawsuit was filed.

Why is there an Actos Lawsuit?
The Actos lawsuit was originally filed based on the whistleblower account of Helen Ge which alleged Takeda, the manufacturer of Actos, had chosen to downplay certain known risks of the medication in order to increase profit. There is not just one Actos lawsuit, but many, as studies continue to show that prolonged usage increases risk for certain complications in a significant portion of people tested.

While Ge’s Actos lawsuit focuses on the risks of congestive heart disease associated with taking the medication, later studies have linked it to an increased risk of bladder cancer as well. As of 2012, both Germany and France have banned the medication and the US FDA has issued a stronger requirement for a warning label on Actos.

How do I know if I should file a claim in the Actos lawsuit?
Talk to your doctor first. If you both feel like you have complications that may have resulted from taking Actos and your doctor is of the opinion that had the extent of the risks been known the medication would not have been prescribed to you, you may have a claim in the Actos lawsuit.

Part of what you and your doctor should consider is whether or not you either had badder cancer or congestive heart disease at the time you were prescribed Actos or, if you have a significant history of either disorder. Having a genetic history for bladder cancer or heart disease may not be enough cause to include your claim in the Actos lawsuit. If you feel like you do have cause, consult a lawyer who specializes in class action lawsuits.

Does the Actos lawsuit mean I should stop taking Actos?
No. Just because there is an Actos lawsuit you should not choose to stop taking the medication on your own. Suddenly stopping or even tapering off Actos without having an adequate replacement to help manage your diabetes could lead to worse outcomes than those featured in the Actos lawsuit.

Talk to your doctor and they will help evaluate your risk for the complications outlined in the Actos lawsuit and then you both can make an informed decision about with to continue the medication or not. Your doctor will also be able to offer suggestions for replacement medication should you be considered at risk for complications or, if the knowledge of the Actos lawsuit makes you want to get off the medication and on to a prescription with lesser risk potential.

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Actos is the name of the generic drug Pioglitazone as it is marketed by the Takeda drug manufacturer. Actos / Pioglitazone are used in the treatment and management of Type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that Actos / Pioglitazone are not meant to be the sole source of control for this diabetic condition but are designed to complement a change in diet and exercise. Type 2 diabetes is the only type of diabetes that has a direct link to weight gain. Losing/managing weight along with taking Actos or Pioglitazone will effectively manage your diabetes.

Are Actos / Pioglitazone really the same?

Actos is the brand name version of the generic drug Pioglitazone. Technically, they are exactly the same drug however, the Actos version of Pioglitazone is made with different binders that may reduce potential side effects and allow for easier absorption. Pioglitazone, as with most generics, may not be made with those binders. Generally, generic medicines are identical and are allowed to be manufactured once the initial limited patent expires on the branded version of a medication. In order to keep a patent and make a branded (and more expensive) product attractive, manufacturers will add different elements to the core drug.

Who should be cautious about taking Actos / Pioglitazone?

There are several pre-existing conditions that should act as a caution to prescribing Actos or Pioglitazone for a person. Anyone who is breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid this medication as should people with thyroid disease, kidney disease, bladder cancer, heart disease, are premenopausal or have liver problems and a history of allergic reactions to medications.
Actos and Pioglitazone can interact with many medications and cause problems. Please talk to your doctor and a pharmacist and look over the list of any medications you are currently taking before beginning to take Actos or Pioglitazone. This should include looking at a list of any vitamins or herbal supplements you take on a regular basis as there are known interactions with some of these substances as well.

What are the risks associated with Actos / Pioglitazone?

Unfortunately, there are more and more significant risks being discovered about Actos (Pioglitazone). Several studies have linked it to creating a high risk for both related Actos bladder cancer risks and congestive heart disease. In one study it was found that out of 144,000 people included in the study who were given Actos or Pioglitazone to take, 40% showed an increased level of heart disease by the end of the trial.

This does not mean that Actos or Pioglitazone will cause either of these diseases in all individuals, but in certain individuals with specific risk factors present, Actos or Pioglitazone should not be prescribed. There are several lawsuits that have been filed over these discovered risks as there is also a whistleblower suit against the manufacturer that alleges the risks were known, but downplayed, in favor of profit.

Both Germany and France have removed Actos and Pioglitazone from their lists of approved medications. The FDA has issued a new warning on the drug and is requiring that it be clearly labeled with a description of the inherent risks. Evidence is still being considered in the US about whether or not Actos (Pioglitazone) will eventually be pulled off the market.
Treatment Actos Bladder Cancer

Actos bladder cancer can be treated using chemotherapeutic drugs like Thiotepa and Mitomycin C, as they are not administered in the bloodstream but in the bladder itself. A good thing is that the common side effects associated with chemotherapy, like nausea, hair loss, fatigue and vomiting, will not be experienced by the patient.

Visit http://sailla.info/ to learn more about Actos.

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