Compare Lantus vs. Actos
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood sugar.
Lantus (insulin glargine) is an effective, long-acting insulin that provides all-day blood sugar control, but it can cause low blood sugar levels, so be sure to have a source of sugar nearby.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 584 reviewsforLantus
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
- Insulin is one of the most effective blood sugar-lowering medication and can lower your A1c (average blood sugar over time) by up to 2-3%.
- Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-lasting insulin that provides consistent, all-day sugar control with just once or twice daily dosing.
- Dose can be easily adjusted to make a customized regimen that's tailored to your body's needs.
- Lantus (insulin glargine) can be used with liver or kidney problems.
- 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
- You have to take insulin by injection.
- You have to check your blood sugar regularly to assure your medications are working.
- You may gain some weight, around 4-6 pounds.
- You have to maintain a consistent schedule to avoid low blood sugar episodes. Dramatic changes in weight or meal patterns will require dose adjustments.
- 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
$295.26
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$10.45
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Reviews
584 reviews so far
67%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
14%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lantus (insulin glargine)?
Leave a review175 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
30%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Actos (pioglitazone)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
19possible side effects
- Upper respiratory tract infection28%
- Swelling in the limbs20%
- High blood pressure20%
- Flu19%
- Sinus infection19%
- Cataracts18%
- Inflammation of the airways15%
- Joint pain14%
- Pain in extremity13%
- Back pain13%
- Cough12%
- Urinary tract infection11%
- Diarrhea11%
- Depression11%
- Infection10%
- Headache10%
- Blood vessel disease7%
- Retinal vein disorder6%
- Injection site pain3%
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
- Life-threatening low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Insulin dose too high
- Use of other blood sugar lowering medicines
- Poor injection techniques
- Complications due to low potassium
- Use of other medicine that lower potassium
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Severe allergic reactions
- Allergy to insulin
- Heart failure
- Heart failure
- Fluid buildup
- Liver damage
- Current liver problems
- Bladder cancer
- History of bladder cancer
- Bone fracture
- Women
- Low blood sugar