Pioglitazone is a selective antagonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in insulin-mediated target tissues such as adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. It thus controls glucose production, transport, and utilization of fats and lipids.
Through this mechanism, pioglitazone enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin and reduces hepatic glucose production.
Medical uses of Glados 15 mg tablets
It is used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. It is used when diet and exercise alone fail to control diabetes.
How to use Glados 15 mg tablets
Make sure to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and may change the doses depending on your response to the medicine and other medicines you are taking.
Your doctor may recommend additional diabetes medications for you to take with pioglitazone.
Take the tablets with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
Take the tablets at the same time each day.
If you experience an infection or fever, be sure to talk to your doctor immediately. Your doctor may change the dosage of your diabetes medications if necessary.
It may take about 2 to 3 months to control your blood sugar.
Make sure you follow a healthy diet and exercise program as recommended by your healthcare provider and check your blood sugar levels regularly while taking pioglitazone.
The recommended initial dose is 15 mg or 30 mg orally once daily. The starting dose should not exceed 15 mg once daily in patients with class 1 or 2 heart failure. Your doctor may increase the dose in 15 mg increments if blood sugar control is not achieved.
Maximum dose 45 mg.
The effectiveness and safety of this medicine in children have not yet been established.
Doses may be changed under special circumstances, so always follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions.
If you take more medicine than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose.
Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a missed dose.
Side effects of Glados 15 mg tablets
Although the following side effects are not common to everyone, some patients may experience:
upper respiratory tract infection
sinus infection
headache
muscle pain
pharyngitis (sore throat)
Differences in the results of different laboratory tests
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, hives, red, swollen, blistering, or peeling skin with or without a fever
Signs of liver problems such as stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, unusual or unexplained tiredness, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, and loss of appetite.
Swelling and weight gain.
Fractures (more likely to occur in women, usually in the upper arm, hand, or foot)
Signs of low blood sugar such as tremors, palpitations, sweating, hunger, and dizziness.
Use of Glados 15 mg tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Your doctor will discuss the potential risks and benefits of using this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Helpful tips for diabetics
All carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels, so it's important to know which foods contain carbohydrates. Choose healthy carbohydrate-containing foods and be aware of the portion size (amount of carbohydrates) required.
Reduce your salt intake. Eating too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure, which in turn increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. When you have diabetes, you're already at greater risk for all of these conditions.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. This can help you get the vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body needs daily to maintain your health.
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar such as weakness, dizziness, increased sweating, rapid heartbeat, blurred vision, or difficulty concentrating, eating or drinking something containing sugar usually helps.
Warnings and precautions while using Glados 15 mg tablets
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck, low blood pressure, and dizziness.
This medication may cause fluid retention, which can lead to heart failure. The risk of fluid retention has been shown to be higher in patients who use insulin with this medication.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting this medication if you have heart problems (such as heart failure).
This medication may cause dose-related edema (swelling). If this occurs, be sure to tell your doctor. Your doctor may reduce your dose if necessary.
This medication may be associated with liver problems.
This medication may increase the risk of fractures in female patients.
This medication may increase the risk of bladder cancer, especially when used for a long period of time.
This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) when given with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.
High blood glucose levels may lead to macular edema (eye edema). Regular eye exams are recommended.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines including non-prescription medicines, prescription medicines, herbal supplements, vitamins, and nutritional supplements.
How to store Glados 15 mg tablets
Store below 25°C.
Do not refrigerate the medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Must be stored in the original container to protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton/blister/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Your health in numbers
Random blood sugar test: A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Regardless of when you last ate, a blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher indicates diabetes. A blood sugar level below 140 mg/dL is considered normal, and a reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates diabetes risk.
Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after you fast overnight. A fasting blood sugar level below 100 mg/dL is normal. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetes. If your blood sugar is 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, you may have diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test: For this test, you fast overnight, and your fasting blood sugar level is measured. You then drink a sugary liquid, and your blood sugar levels are tested periodically for the next two hours.
For more information about pioglitazone
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's Tamenni app
