Actoplus Met (Pioglitazone/Metformin) for Diabetes

Overview

Actoplus Met is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. You may be a candidate for Actoplus Met if you are already taking a thiazolidinedione such as Actos and a biguanide such as Metformin, or if you are taking a drug from one of these classes and still have uncontrolled blood glucose levels.

Actoplus Met is a combination drug composed of the drugs Pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos, and Metformin. Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione, also known as a glitazone. Pioglitazone is believed to work by decreasing the amount of glucose released by the liver and making insulin more effective in muscle and fat tissues. Metformin is a Biguanide. Metformin is believed to work by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and making the muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Actoplus Met is generally taken once or twice daily with meals.

Actoplus Met comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Actoplus Met lists common side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, weight gain, dental problems, blurry vision, weakness, muscle pain, and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Actoplus Met include congestive heart failure, lactic acidosis, and systemic allergic reaction.

For answers to frequently asked questions about exposure to Metformin during pregnancy and breastfeeding, visit the experts at MothertoBaby.org.