Compare Apidra vs. Actos
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Controls blood sugar.
Apidra (insulin glulisine) is an insulin that controls blood sugar during your meals, but you'll still have to follow your doctor's diet and exercise plan.
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
Upsides
- Apidra (insulin glulisine) starts working in as soon as 15 minutes.
- Programs are available to lower your copay. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Can be used in people over 65 and children 4 years of age and older.
- 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.
Downsides
- Your doctor might have to check your kidneys and liver regularly if you've had kidney or liver problems in the past.
- Since Apidra (insulin glulisine) is an injectable, it might not be a good treatment option for people who are afraid of needles.
- Only available as a brand name, so Apidra (insulin glulisine) can be expensive.
- 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.
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Dosage forms
- Injection
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$512.40
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$14.38
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Actos (pioglitazone)?
Leave a reviewSide 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%
Risks and risk factors
- Sharing of pen and needles
- Low blood sugar
- Changes in diet and exercise
- Drinking alcohol
- Taking other medications for diabetes
- Over age 65
- Liver or kidney problems
- Severe allergic reactions
- Low blood potassium levels
- Taking laxatives
- Taking medications that increase urination
- Mixing of insulins
- Fluid buildup
- Taking Avandia or Actos
- Heart failure
- Heart failure
- Fluid buildup
- Liver damage
- Current liver problems
- Bladder cancer
- History of bladder cancer
- Bone fracture
- Women
- Low blood sugar