Pioglitazone 15 mg Tablets (Pioglitazone Hydrochloride)

Adult dose

This medication is taken orally once daily regardless of meals. As monotherapy, it can be initiated at 15 mg once daily, and if effectiveness is insufficient, the dose can be increased to 30 mg once daily. In combination therapy, it is also administered at 15 mg once daily, and the maximum recommended dose should not exceed 30 mg once daily.

Child dose

Usage in children under 18 years of age has not been established, thus it is not recommended.

This medication is used for treating Type 2 Diabetes and helps insulin's action. However, it may burden the heart in some patients, so it should not be used in those with heart failure or a history of heart failure. During treatment, symptoms of heart failure, such as sudden weight gain or shortness of breath, should be closely monitored, and if they occur, a physician should be consulted immediately. Patients with active bladder cancer or a history of bladder cancer should not use this medication. Patients with severely impaired liver or kidney function should also avoid this drug. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid this medication. Additionally, premenopausal women may experience ovulation stimulation, increasing the risk of pregnancy, so appropriate contraceptive methods should be used. This medication does not lower blood sugar alone and requires insulin for effectiveness; hence, it is not suitable for patients with Type 1 Diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Care should be taken for signs of hypoglycemia during use, especially if taking insulin or other hypoglycemic agents, as the risk of hypoglycemia may increase, and dosage adjustments may be necessary. This medication may cause edema or weight gain, and these symptoms can resolve upon discontinuation. Liver dysfunction, macular edema, and fracture risk have also been reported, so regular medical follow-ups and check-ups are important. Additionally, this drug may interact with several medications, so any other medications being taken should be disclosed to a physician or pharmacist. In case of overdose, there may not be any specific symptoms, but if any unusual symptoms occur, it's crucial to visit a medical facility immediately. It has not been proven safe and effective for children, so it should not be used in pediatric patients. Caution should be exercised when administering to elderly patients, particularly those aged 75 and older. Finally, this medication should be stored out of reach of children and kept in its original container to maintain quality.

Serious side effects

Congestive heart failure (including signs and symptoms of heart failure), severe edema, worsening of heart disease, severe allergic reactions (hives), cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, liver abnormalities (liver failure, elevated ALT, potential jaundice), bladder cancer, severe neurological symptoms (stroke), generalized edema due to fluid retention, hospitalization due to hypoglycemia, stroke, post-marketing reported macular edema, increased fracture risk

Mild side effects

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• headache
• sinusitis
• muscle pain
• pharyngitis
• abdominal distension
• weight gain
• hypoglycemia
• urinary tract infection
• back pain

This medication should be stored in a container that blocks light and air, and moisture should be avoided. The appropriate storage temperature is between 15°C and 30°C, with a preference for storage near 25°C.

Appearance

White to grayish-white round biconvex tablets

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle