Compare Actos vs. Humalog

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Actos (pioglitazone)

Prescription only

Humalog (insulin lispro)

Prescription only
Lowers blood sugar.

Actos (pioglitazone) can improve blood sugar control but is not a top choice since it has a lot of side effects.

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3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos
Lowers blood sugar.

Humalog (insulin lispro) is a fast-acting insulin that controls blood sugar around meal times.

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3.7/ 5 average rating with 280 reviewsforHumalog
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.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) is the most effective medication for lowering your blood sugar.
  • Works quickly to control your sugar levels after meals.
  • Dose can be easily adjusted to create a regimen that's tailored to your body's needs.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) can be used even if you have liver or kidney problems, unlike other anti-diabetic medications.
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.
  • You have to take Humalog (insulin lispro) by injection.
  • Humalog (insulin lispro) is likely to cause moderate weight gain (around 4 to 6 pounds).
  • There is a higher risk for episodes of low blood sugar compared to other anti-diabetic medications.
  • Effects do not last long enough to control your blood sugar for a whole day.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$14.62
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Lowest price
$144.20
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Reviews
175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Actos (pioglitazone)?

Leave a review
280 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
50%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Humalog (insulin lispro)?

Leave a review
Side effects
11possible side effects
  • Low blood sugar
    27%
  • Swelling
    27%
  • Colds and flu
    13%
  • Headache
    9%
  • Heart failure
    8%
  • Sinus infection
    6%
  • Back pain
    6%
  • Pain in arms and legs
    6%
  • Muscle pain
    5%
  • Sore throat
    5%
  • Chest pain
    5%
See more detailed side effects
The Humalog (insulin lispro) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Life-threatening low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    • Insulin dose too high
    • Use of other blood sugar lowering medications
    • Poor injection techniques
  • Complications due to low potassium
    • Use of medications that lower potassium
    • Current electrolyte imbalance
  • Severe allergic reactions
    • Allergy to insulin
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Actos (pioglitazone)
Learn more about Humalog (insulin lispro)