Safely Buy Actoplus Met ( Pioglitazone/Metformin ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Actoplus Met is an oral diabetes medication used to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who do not take insulin.

This diabetes medicine combines pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione, with metformin, a biguanide. Pioglitazone increases the amount of glucose your body uses and reduces insulin resistance while metformin decreases the amount of glucose produced by your liver and how much is absorbed by your intestines.

These combined actions allow Actoplus Met to lower and maintain your blood sugar levels to help treat your type 2 diabetes condition.

Dosage and Administration

The dose of Actoplus Met that is prescribed will vary depending on the individual being treated. Follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions and read packaging labels carefully to ensure the best results during treatment. Do not change your dose or stop taking this medication without speaking to your healthcare provider.

• Swallow tablets whole
• Take with food at the same times each day
• Actoplus Met should be used in a treatment program that includes diet, exercise, and blood sugar testing
• Continue taking Actoplus Met as prescribed, even if you feel well
• Do not suddenly stop using this medication
• Store at room temperature away from children and pets

To treat type 2 diabetes:

• Most adults start treatment by taking a tablet with 15mg of pioglitazone and 500mg of metformin twice daily or 15/850mg once a day
• Patients taking metformin with inadequate glucose control should take Actoplus Met 15/500mg twice a day or 15/850mg once or twice daily
• Patients not controlled with pioglitazone alone should take Actoplus Met 15/500mg twice a day or 15/850mg once a day
• Patients who also have congestive heart failure should take 15/500mg or 15/850mg once a day
• Doses can gradually increase as needed and tolerated
• Adults should not take more than 45mg of pioglitazone or 2550mg of metformin daily
• If you are prescribed daily metformin doses above 2000mg, it is recommended that you take the dose divided into three daily doses

Side Effects

Actoplus Met may cause some side effects to develop while lowering your glucose levels. Speak with your healthcare provider for more information about any symptoms that you might encounter during treatment.

Common Actoplus Met side effects:

• Headache
• Weight gain
• Diarrhea
• Cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat)

Serious Side Effects

Some more serious side effects may occur during treatment with Actoplus Met. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, new or worsening urge to urinate
• Vision changes
• Heart problems (swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath)
• Liver problems (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice)
• Low red blood cell counts (pale skin, unusual tiredness, light-headedness, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet)

Some users may develop lactic acidosis during treatment with Actoplus Met. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following signs:

• Unusual muscle pain
• Cold feeling
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness, light-headedness
• Feeling tired or very weak
• Stomach pain, vomiting
• Slow or irregular heart rate

Allergic Reactions

Do not take Actoplus Met if you are allergic to pioglitazone or metformin. Stop using this medication and call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:

• Hives
• Trouble breathing
• Swelling face, lips, tongue, or throat

Cautions

• Actoplus Met is designed to lower your blood sugar levels to treat type 2 diabetes and should not be taken by anyone with type 1 diabetes.
• Do not take Actoplus Met if you have any of the following conditions:
  • Severe heart failure
  • Severe kidney disease
  • Active bladder cancer
  • Metabolic acidosis or ketoacidosis
• Actoplus Met may lead to the development of congestive heart failure or cause your condition to worsen. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you become short or breath and notice swelling or rapid weight gain.
• You may need to temporarily stop taking Actoplus Met if you need an x-ray or CT scan that uses an injected dye. Speak with your healthcare provider for more specific instructions.
• During treatment with Actoplus Met, you may develop a buildup of lactic acid in your blood, a condition known as lactic acidosis. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any unusual muscle pain, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, coldness, or if you feel very weak or tired.
• To ensure your safety when taking Actoplus Met, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any of the following:
  • Kidney problems
  • Congestive heart failure or other heart issues
  • Fluid retention
  • Eye problems caused by diabetes
  • Bladder cancer
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Liver disease
  • If you are over the age of 80
• Actoplus Met may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine your risk, especially if you have ever had bladder cancer or if you have a family history of the condition.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully during treatment while pregnant because it is important to control your diabetes during this time to avoid complications in you and your child.
• Metformin may stimulate ovulation in women who are premenopausal which could increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies. Speak with your healthcare provider for more information regarding your risk and ways to avoid unintended pregnancy.
• Ask your healthcare provider about the risks of breastfeeding while taking Actoplus Met before doing so during treatment.
• Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Actoplus Met because it can lower your blood sugar levels even more and could increase your risk of developing lactic acidosis.
• Some drugs can interact with Actoplus Met and cause adverse reactions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including over the counter medicines, but especially any of the following:
  • Gemfibrozil and other CYP2C8 inhibitors
  • Rifampin
  • Topiramate, zonisamide, acetazolamide, and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • Ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine
  • Insulin or insulin secretagogues
• Actoplus Met is not an approved form of treatment for anyone under the age of 18.

Form and Strength

This combination diabetes medication is available in tablet form.

• Actoplus Met tablet strengths:
  • 15mg pioglitazone/500mg metformin
  • 15/850mg

The 15/500mg strength Actoplus Met tablets are available in quantities of 100 while the 15/850mg strength tablets are available in quantities of 56, 90, and 112.

FAQ

Can you take Actoplus Met without food?

It is recommended that you take your doses of Actoplus Met with food. The medication may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as an upset stomach or nausea which could be lessened by taking your doses with food. Speak with your healthcare provider for more information on how you should take this medication.

What is Actoplus Met used for?

Actoplus Met is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults who are not using insulin injections. The medicine combines two antidiabetic drugs, pioglitazone and metformin, to effectively lower your blood glucose and help maintain healthy levels.

Resources:

1. https://www.drugs.com/actoplus_met.html
2. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=42e49120-6f3f-11db-9fe1-0800200c9a66&type=display
3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/medguide.cfm?setid=42e49120-6f3f-11db-9fe1-0800200c9a66
4. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medications/pioglitazone-oral
5. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medications/metformin-oral