Actos (pioglitazone) is a prescription tablet that’s used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Learn about side effects, dosage, uses, and more. Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral diabetes medicine used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Includes Actos side effects, interactions and indications. Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. It's a thiazolidinedione, which works by helping your body respond better to insulin. This medication is taken by mouth once a day and is available in both brand and generic forms. Side effects include headache, swelling in the body, and weight gain. There's also a serious warning. Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication in the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class of drugs indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It helps insulin work better in muscle and fat cells and lowers blood glucose production in the liver. Find patient medical information for Pioglitazone (Actos) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings DESCRIPTION ACTOS (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is an oral antidiabetic agent that acts primarily by decreasing insulin resistance. ACTOS is used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] or adult-onset diabetes). Pharmacological studies indicate that ACTOS improves sensitivity to insulin in muscle and adipose tissue and. Pioglitazone Tablets Pioglitazone is a medication that treats type 2 diabetes. It helps your body use insulin more effectively and decreases your blood sugar. A healthcare provider may recommend changes to your diet and exercise if you take this medication. The brand name of this medication is Actos®. Description Pioglitazone is used with proper diet and exercise to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes. It may be used alone or with other medicines such as insulin, metformin, or sulfonylurea agents. Pioglitazone works by helping your body use insulin better. This medicine does not help patients who have insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes. This medicine is available only. Pioglitazone, sold under the brand name Actos among others, is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. [3] It may be used with metformin, a sulfonylurea, or insulin. [3][4] Use is recommended together with exercise and diet. [4] It is not recommended in type 1 diabetes. [4] It is taken by mouth. [4] Common side effects include headaches, muscle pains, inflammation of the. Learn about side effects, dosage, uses, what to consider, and more for Actos (pioglitazone), which is a prescription tablet that treats type 2 diabetes in adults.