Actoplus Met
(pioglitazone / metformin)
Lowers blood sugar.
Our bottom line
Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin) is a single-pill combination of two first-choice anti-diabetic medicines, but may cause some undesireable side effects.
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (pioglitazone / metformin)
Upsides
- Lowers A1c (average blood sugar) levels by 1%.
- Easily taken by mouth as a pill.
- Rarely causes low blood sugar.
- Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Actoplus, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Can take several weeks to see full effect on your blood sugars.
- Can cause stomach upset or weight gain.
- Can cause fluid build up in the ankles or lungs.
- Not a good choice if you have history of heart failure or bladder cancer.
- Increases the risk of of bone fractures or poor kidney function.
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
What to expect from Actoplus, on one page
Download Fact SheetActoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin) is a combination anti-diabetic medicine, which enhances your body's sensitivy to insulin and lowers production of sugar.
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (pioglitazone / metformin)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$659.28
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$661.60
What to expect when you take Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin) for Type 2 diabetes
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Colds and flu
- Low blood sugar
- Swelling
- Heart failure
Side effect rates for Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin)
- Colds and flu12%12%
- Swelling6%6%3%3%
- Headache6%6%3%3%
- Swelling6%6%
- Headache6%6%
- Weight gain3%3%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Actoplus.
People taking Actoplus felt side effect more
People taking Actoplus felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Heart failure
Pioglitazone, one of the medicines in Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin), can cause fluid buildup that can lead to or worsen heart failure. If you have advanced heart failure, talk to your doctor since you shouldn't use Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin). Your doctor will check your heart regularly while you're taking Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin).
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats type 2 diabetes in adults.Common concerns from people taking Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Take with food to reduce stomach upset.
- If you've had liver problems or damage in the past, talk to your doctor before starting Actoplus Met (pioglitazone / metformin), since there's a small chance that it can hurt your liver. Tell your doctor about any stomach pain that don't go away, dark urine, or yellowing of eyes/skin. Your doctor will check your liver regularly.
- Increases the risk of of bone fractures or poor kidney function.
- Can cause diarrhea, weight gain and cold-like symptoms.
- Can cause stomach upset or weight gain.