Pioglitazone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Actos

Pioglitazone has an average rating of 4.5 out of 10 from a total of 53 reviews on Drugs.com. 24% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 51% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Pioglitazone

grahamr
July 17, 2007

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I started taking Actos 45 about 8 weeks ago. It lowered my sugar dramatically. I take it with glyburide/metformin. My sugar is running from 57 to 65 when I wake. This causes lightheadedness and blurred vision. The other side effects are greatly enlarged legs and feet. The water retention is alarming. My doctor lowered it to Actos 30. See what happens. This may not be the drug for me."

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47 Report

pickle
August 18, 2008

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I have been taking this drug for one month and I feel so much better and my sugar is in control. I noticed that my digestive problems mostly disappeared when I started taking this drug. My IBS is much better. The swelling and bloating in my abdomen has reduced greatly. So far I have not had any noticeable side effects. I take 15mg daily."

10 / 10

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43 Report

Anonymous
June 4, 2009

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Been using Actos 15 mg with Metformin (2x1000) for several years now. Most of the side effects listed have not been a factor for me. I do have some swelling of the lower legs and ankles, but that was pre-existing. I have not noticed any difference since I have been on this medication."

8 / 10

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41 Report

dhann...
December 31, 2008

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I took Actos 45 mg for about 2 years an had swelling in my legs and muscle pain as side effects. Actos did bring my HbA1C down to 5.9 so it was great for blood sugar control but the side effects just got to be to much to handle. I tried switching to glucophage during that time but could not tolerate it due to stomach problems. My doctor is now switching me to glipizide and we'll see how that goes."

3 / 10

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39 Report

D...
November 21, 2008

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 " I used this drug for about 8 months and lost 3 teeth at rear of mouth, due to tooth decay. Then found out that tooth decay is a side effect in some people. Stopped taking it about 2 years ago and no more tooth problems."

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38 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Jenny...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
January 10, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 2 "Lowered blood glucose (BG) and A1C but the side effects couldn't be tolerated. Leg and abdominal edema was considerable resulting in weight gain, pelvic floor pressure with less bladder control. Went off for a couple months then tried again at lower dose. Leg edema not as noticeable but again had me thinking I had a UTI which I again did not, cultured to confirm. I was on the med for 5 weeks each time and problems worsened, which after that long I would expect them to decrease. This med is definitely not for me."

4 / 10

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15 Report

Swell...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
June 10, 2022

For Diabetes, Type 2 "I'm on pioglitazone three years now. I have abdominal swelling, swelling in my legs horribly. I thought maybe it was menopause or a lymphatic system problem. But nope my lymphatic system test shows normal flow. I've been to all kinds of doctors about the swelling. Heart, kidney, blood doctor. Nothing found. I came across a video on YouTube and I was like what a minute I take that medication. I wonder why the doctors never thought it might be medication doing this. After much reading I think it's very possible this drug caused my 60 pound weight gain and my swelling. Sure my sugars good but at what cost. I'm miserable"

1 / 10

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7 Report

Jerry
Taken for less than 1 month
June 3, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 2 "Started taking 15mg of this drug once a day. No effects for first 12 days. On Day 14 I started having shortness of breath and chest tightness. Gradually got worse over the next several days until just a quick walk across the room would leave me stopping to gasp for breath. Stopped taking the drug after reading these reviews on day 21. It's now day 28 and I continue to have the same symptoms."

1 / 10

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13 Report

Dave
Taken for less than 1 month
September 18, 2021

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I have been taking 30mg for 2 1/2 weeks now. I have had migraine headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and stomach pain. Severe fatigue to the point I have spent 12 out of the past 14 days in bed or the couch, unable to do normal daily functions. I have also gained 2 lbs, that may not sound like much, but when you take in account that I only a half of a small homemade ham sandwich or equivalent per meal, that's a lot. 2 weeks ago I weighed 148 lbs, I now weigh 150 lbs and have been eating less than before starting Actos."

1 / 10

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7 Report

evilm...
February 2, 2010

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Changing diet and exercise before starting Actos got my levels at a certain level at certain times during the day. Added Actos, my numbers didn't change, doctor still has me on it for some unknown reason."

1 / 10

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24 Report

Pinin...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
April 14, 2015

For Diabetes, Type 2 "I'm simply amazed at how well this med has worked at controlling my glucose levels. It has gotten my daily glucose readings, as well as my A1c, down to the point where my doc is concerned about hypoglycemia, and may start to reduce, or possible eliminate, one of my other diabetes meds. Couldn't be happier."

10 / 10

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17 Report

Ruby
Taken for 10 years or more
February 23, 2022

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I have a strange reaction when I use Metformin alone. For some reason, Metformin doesn't work for me when I use it by itself. However, when combined with Pioglitazone (Actos), it works perfectly. I used to have to take Avandia with Metformin, but unfortunately, they stopped making or prescribing Avandia. I was worried nothing else would get Metformin to work for me like Avandia did, but I've been on Actos for around 10 years, and my A1C is around 5 each time it's checked. With Metformin, alone, my A1C tends to be around 7.5 to 8! I haven't experienced any side effects at all. None! I guess some people gained weight on it, but I didn't. My weight has remained the same as when I was taking Avandia with Metformin. At any rate, I'm extremely glad Actos is available for people like me. I don't want to be on insulin and would have to be without it."

10 / 10

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4 Report

Susan
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
May 17, 2023

For Diabetes, Type 2 "I have been taking 45mg of Pioglitazone for about 6 months. My sugars are better, but I have gained over 10 pounds. For someone who is only 4ft 10in tall, that is a lot of weight! I struggle with weight issues anyway. I mentioned to my doctor that I was having problems losing weight with a 1,200 calorie diet. She just said to exercise more. I feel bloated in my abdominal area as well as everywhere else. I am exhausted all of the time, and I hurt all over. After wracking my brain trying to figure out what was different to cause these issues, I looked up the side effects of Pioglitazone. There they were...all of the issues I have been experiencing. I stopped the medication two days ago. I hope to see a difference in the weight, water retention, and pain. I will update after a few weeks! I still take Metformin and Farxiga (but Farxiga costs me almost $400 a month!). Big pharma just cares about money, not people."

2 / 10

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2 Report

Sallie
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 19, 2021

For Diabetes, Type 2 "I'm continually getting yeast infection and rashes I'm using the pill the dr gave me and its not working at all I'm very disappointed I take insulin already faithfully and I'm tied of my private part feeling like this"

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2 Report

Gil
Taken for 10 years or more
August 4, 2021

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I am 74 years old and have taken Actos for about 15 years and have recently gotten serious about tracking my sugar levels to indicate trends and medicine effects. I current take Lantus and 3 metformin per day and my sugar levels are in the 80-110 range consistently. I stopped take Actos and did not notice any affect on my sugar level. I am convinced that it does promote weight gain and swelling in the feet. I had no serious side effects but as a person that has weight problems anyway it is not the medication for me. I am glad I can dispense with taking it with my current medications. For those that it does help, I have no personal experience that would cause me to say do not take it. Not doing something about the sugar levels is far more risky than the side effects of this medicine."

5 / 10

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Anonymous
May 5, 2011

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Causes edema. I lost 30lbs in less than 3 months after going off Actos."

3 / 10

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59 Report

sammy...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
March 26, 2017

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Worked well at first. Now I get 200 plus readings when I wake up."

5 / 10

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33 Report

redhand
Taken for 1 to 6 months
November 19, 2015

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Effective. However, because of issues with possible Bladder Cancer reports, my new Endocrinologist immediately took me off Actos. Also, nausea and vomiting side effects."

1 / 10

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35 Report

Lepri...
September 25, 2010

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "My blood sugar level with Actos is higher then without taking it."

1 / 10

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49 Report

nancy...
September 7, 2007

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I have been taking actos for about two weeks. My ankles and legs have swelled and my joints are extremely painful. I am discontinuing this drug."

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56 Report

vin1z
November 16, 2011

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Used to get hallucinations at times in the night after using pioglitazone. Scary side effect. My doctor changed me over to a different combination."

1 / 10

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41 Report

Anonymous
September 22, 2010

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "Experienced many side effects, blood sugar was higher than before I was placed on Actos. My doctor took me off of it immediately. After she did, I felt great."

1 / 10

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39 Report

ZOINKS
May 2, 2009

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I had never had any medicines that controlled my blood sugar levels like ACTOS. I am so happy to stay in my 100 realm."

10 / 10

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33 Report

Anonymous
September 7, 2009

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "I have been taking Actos 45mg for 1 month and have not experienced any side effects. It works well for me."

10 / 10

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32 Report

drendo
May 3, 2009

Actos (pioglitazone) for Diabetes, Type 2 "It is a very effective drug when used correctly for suitable patients."

10 / 10

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25 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.