Compare Actos vs. Afrezza
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Actos (pioglitazone) can improve blood sugar control but is not a top choice since it has a lot of side effects.
●●●●●
3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos
Controls mealtime blood sugar.
Afrezza (insulin) is effective at controlling blood sugar, but you can't use it if you've had lung problems or smoke.
Upsides
- Improves sugar control and lowers A1c levels by around 1%.
- Easily taken by mouth as a once a day pill.
- Prevents the harmful effects of high sugar levels on your organs.
- Rarely causes low blood sugar.
- Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Afrezza (insulin) is as effective as other mealtime insulin products.
- Starts working faster and stays in your body for a shorter time than other mealtime insulin products, so you're less likely to have severely low blood sugar.
- If you don't like needles, Afrezza (insulin) is a good alternative since you inhale it.
- Safe to use in people 65 or older.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to lower your copay, such as coupons.
Downsides
- May take several weeks to lower blood sugar.
- Can cause weight gain.
- People with heart failure or history of bladder cancer shouldn't use this medicine.
- Some people might get fluid accumulation (edema), from minor ankle swelling to fluid in lungs that makes it hard to breathe.
- Raises the risk of bone fractures, especially for people who already have a risk for fractures.
- Not recommended if you're a smoker or if you've smoked in the last 6 months.
- Afrezza (insulin) only comes in 3 different strengths, so it can be inconvenient if you need a lot of insulin.
- Not recommended in children under 18.
- If you're pregnant, you'll need to talk to your doctor before you start Afrezza (insulin).
- There is no generic available, and may not be covered right away by Medicare or other insurances.
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Inhalation powder
Price
Lowest price
$9.00
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$337.21
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Actos (pioglitazone)?
Leave a reviewNot enough review data.Leave a review
Side effects
11possible side effects
- Low blood sugar27%
- Swelling27%
- Colds and flu13%
- Headache9%
- Heart failure8%
- Sinus infection6%
- Back pain6%
- Pain in arms and legs6%
- Muscle pain5%
- Sore throat5%
- Chest pain5%
6possible side effects
- Cough28%
- Throat pain or irritation6%
- Headache5%
- Worsening lung function test3%
- Airway inflammation3%
- Urinary tract infection2%
Risks and risk factors
- Heart failure
- Heart failure
- Fluid buildup
- Liver damage
- Current liver problems
- Bladder cancer
- History of bladder cancer
- Bone fracture
- Women
- Low blood sugar
- Low blood sugar
- Changes in diet and exercise
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking other medications for diabetes
- Over age 65
- Liver or kidney problems
- Breathing problems
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Other long term lung problems
- Low blood potassium levels
- Taking laxatives
- Taking medications that increase urination
- Worsening lung function
- Smoking
- Second-hand smoke
- Indoor and outdoor pollution
- Work-related fume and chemical exposure
- Fluid buildup
- Taking Avandia or Actos
- Too much acid in the blood
- Type 1 diabetes
- Long periods of fasting
- Alchohol abuse
- History of pancreatitis