Pioglitazone for Type 2 Diabetes User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2009

Pioglitazone "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."

• pic...
• August 18, 2008

Pioglitazone "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 have reduced greatly. So far, I have not had any noticeable side effects. I take 15 mg daily."

• Swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2022

"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."

• dha...
• December 31, 2008

Pioglitazone "I took Actos 45 mg for about 2 years and 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 too 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."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2023

"I have been taking 45 mg of pioglitazone for about 6 months. My sugars are better, but I have gained over 10 pounds. For someone who is only 4 ft 10 in 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 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."

• D A...
• November 21, 2008

Pioglitazone "I used this drug for about 8 months and lost 3 teeth at the rear of my 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."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2019

"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 of months, then tried again at a 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."

• Rub...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2022

Pioglitazone "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."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2021

Pioglitazone "I have been taking 30 mg 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 on the couch, unable to do normal daily functions. I have also gained 2 lbs. That may not sound like much, but when you take into account that I only eat 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."

• Jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2019

"Started taking 15 mg of this drug once a day. No effects for the 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."

• Bra...
• April 11, 2023

"After years of a poor diet and insufficient exercise, my A1C was up to 7.1, tested one week ago. The VA doctor gave me a 15 mg Rx. I'm not taking it. What I am/will do is carefully watch what I eat and exercise for at least 30 min every day. In one week, I've lost 7 lbs, from 218 to 211. Clinical trials/tests have shown a lowering of A1C for every 2.2 lbs of weight loss. Dropping 35-40 lbs should put me back into the normal A1C range. I'll reassess my situation in 6 months, but for now, no drugs."

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

"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 possibly eliminate one of my other diabetes meds. Couldn't be happier."

• evi...
• February 2, 2010

Pioglitazone "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."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2021

"I'm continually getting yeast infections and rashes. I'm using the pill the doctor gave me, and it's not working at all. I'm very disappointed. I take insulin already faithfully, and I'm tired of my private part feeling like this."

• Gil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 4, 2021

Pioglitazone "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 currently take Lantus and 3 metformin per day and my sugar levels are in the 80-110 range consistently. I stopped taking Actos and did not notice any effect 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 who 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."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2011

Pioglitazone "Causes edema. I lost 30 lbs in less than 3 months after going off Actos."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2017

Pioglitazone "Worked well at first. Now I get 200-plus readings when I wake up."

• nan...
• September 7, 2007

Pioglitazone "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."

• red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2015

Pioglitazone "Effective. However, because of issues with possible bladder cancer reports, my new endocrinologist immediately took me off Actos. Also, nausea and vomiting side effects."

• Lep...
• September 25, 2010

Pioglitazone "My blood sugar level with Actos is higher than without taking it."

• vin...
• November 16, 2011

Pioglitazone "Used to get hallucinations at times in the night after using pioglitazone. Scary side effect. My doctor changed me over to a different combination."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2010

Pioglitazone "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."

• ZOI...
• May 2, 2009

Pioglitazone "I had never had any medicines that controlled my blood sugar levels like Actos. I am so happy to stay in my 100 realm."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2009

Pioglitazone "I have been taking Actos 45 mg for 1 month and have not experienced any side effects. It works well for me."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2014

"Been taking 30 mg of pioglitazone daily. Noticed increased anxiety, weight gain, difficulty sleeping at night. Going to stop tomorrow 12/1/14 to see if any conditions reverse themselves."