Actos (Pioglitazone)

Actos is a drug that reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs, called "thiazolidinediones", that are used in the treatment of type II diabetes.

Actos also lowers the level of glucose in the blood by reducing the production and secretion of glucose into the blood by the liver. In addition, actos may alter the blood concentrations of lipids (fats) in the blood. Specifically, it decreases triglycerides and increases the "good" (HDL) cholesterol.

Actos is used for the treatment of type II diabetes along with a healthy diabetic diet, regular exercise, weight control, smoking reduction, and careful monitoring of blood glucose.

Actos may be used alone or in combination with metformin, a drug in a different class of anti-diabetic drugs, that also lowers blood glucose.

Actos is approved for treating type II diabetes in combination with insulin as well as another class of anti-diabetic drugs, the sulfonylureas.