Compare Actos vs. Starlix
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.
Starlix (nateglinide) can quickly lower your blood sugar, but needs to be timed with your meals.
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.
- Can quickly lower blood sugar.
- Good alternative if you have poor kidney function.
- Can be safely used in people 65 and older.
- Widely available in generic (cheaper) form.
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.
- Take during mealtime.
- May need to take as often as three times daily.
- Can easily cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you don't maintain a consistent diet or exercise schedule.
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$14.38
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$27.72
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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)?
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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%
10possible side effects
- Common cold11%
- Back pain4%
- Flu symptoms4%
- Dizziness4%
- Joint problems3%
- Diarrhea3%
- Accidental trauma3%
- Inflammation of the airways3%
- Coughing2%
- Low blood sugar2%
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)
- Changes in meal pattern
- Changes in how much exercise you do
- Taking other antidiabetic medications
- Bad liver or renal function