What Is Metformin Pioglitazone?
Metformin and pioglitazone is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Metformin and pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, kidney problems, metabolic acidosis, or if you have bladder cancer. Do not use this medicine if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin). Metformin and pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Metformin and pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.
If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you will need to temporarily stop taking metformin and pioglitazone.
Some people develop lactic acidosis while taking metformin. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.
Do not use this medicine if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
You should not use metformin and pioglitazone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- severe or uncontrolled heart failure;
- kidney problems;
- active bladder cancer; or
- metabolic acidosis.
Some people taking metformin develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. This may be more likely if you have liver or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a severe infection, if you are dehydrated, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk with your doctor about your risk.
To make sure metformin and pioglitazone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- congestive heart failure or heart disease;
- fluid retention;
- a history of bladder cancer;
- a history of heart attack or stroke;
- liver disease; or
- if you are 80 years or older.
This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
Women may be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking medicine that contains pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether metformin and pioglitazone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Some women using metformin and pioglitazone 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.
It is not known whether metformin and pioglitazone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Metformin and pioglitazone should not be given to a child.
Metformin Pioglitazone Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
- pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, urinating more than usual;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- changes in your vision.
- headache;
- diarrhea; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat.
Metformin Pioglitazone Interactions
Tell your doctor if you use insulin. Taking metformin and pioglitazone while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with metformin and pioglitazone, especially:
- gemfibrozil;
- morphine;
- ranitidine;
- an antibiotic--rifampin, trimethoprim, vancomycin; or
- heart or blood pressure medication--digoxin, nifedipine, procainamide, quinidine.
- isoniazid;
- diuretics (water pills);
- steroids (prednisone and others);
- niacin (Advicor, Niaspan, Niacor, Simcor, Slo-Niacin, and others);
- phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
- thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
- birth control pills and other hormones; and
- diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.
Metformin Pioglitazone Dosage
Take metformin and pioglitazone with meals. Take the extended-release (XR) tablet once daily with your evening meal.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, pale skin, irritability, dizziness, feeling shaky, or trouble concentrating. Always keep a source of sugar with you in case you have low blood sugar. Sugar sources include fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, and non-diet soda. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use a glucagon injection. Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to use it.
Check your blood sugar carefully during times of stress, travel, illness, surgery or medical emergency, vigorous exercise, or if you drink alcohol or skip meals. These things can affect your glucose levels and your dose needs may also change. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.
Use metformin and pioglitazone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
If you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking metformin and pioglitazone, take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.
Metformin and pioglitazone is only part of a treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Metformin Pioglitazone Pictures
