Compare Actos vs. Prandin
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.
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3.1/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforActos
Lowers blood sugar.
Prandin (repaglinide) works quickly to lower blood sugar, especially during mealtimes. However, it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are not consistent with your diet and exercise schedule.
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.
- Quickly and effectively lowers blood sugar during meal times.
- Less likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) than Starlix (nateglinide).
- Good first-choice if you cannot tolerate metformin or add-on therapy if your blood sugars are not controlled on metformin alone.
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.
- May cause some weight gain.
- May cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Can frequently interfere with how other medicines work.
- Not a good choice if you have poor kidney function, liver problems, or younger than 18 years old.
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$14.62
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$16.81
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Reviews
175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
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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%
20possible side effects
- Low blood sugar31%
- Headache11%
- Sinusitis6%
- Joint pain6%
- Nausea5%
- Diarrhea5%
- Back pain5%
- Swelling in arms and legs5%
- Heart failure4%
- Rhinitis3%
- Constipation3%
- Vomiting3%
- Tingling, numbness, or burning sensation on the skin3%
- Chest pain3%
- Weight gain3%
- Inflammation of the airways2%
- Indigestion2%
- Urinary tract infection2%
- Tooth disorder2%
- Allergy2%
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 (hypoglycemia)
- Alcoholism
- Changes in meal pattern
- Changes in exercise
- Insulin
- Other antidiabetic medications
- Elderly
- Bad liver or kidney function
- Heart damage
- use with NPH-insulin