Compare Actos vs. Human Insulin

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

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Actos (pioglitazone)

Prescription only

Humulin (Human Insulin)

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.

This form of insulin is one of the few medications in its class that you can get without a prescription, but it's expensive.

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3.6/ 5 average rating with 57 reviewsforHuman Insulin
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.
  • Some types of this medication are available without a prescription.
  • Available as a shot to be injected into the fatty part of the skin, and as a powder to be inhaled through your nose.
  • Available in different combinations so that you can do one shot or multiple shots a day.
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.
  • Has to be taken exactly as directed or it can cause high or low blood sugar.
  • As with all insulins, you have to work with your doctor closely to make sure you're giving yourself the correct dose, or you can have low or high blood sugar.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Injection
  • Inhaler
Price
Lowest price
$13.03
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Lowest price
$24.88
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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
57 reviews so far
67%
saidit'sworth it
46%
saiditworked well
11%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Humulin (Human Insulin)?

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 Humulin (Human Insulin) 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
  • Changes in blood sugar
  • Changes in skin appearance
  • Weight gain
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Actos (pioglitazone)
Learn more about Humulin (Human Insulin)