Pioglitazone
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Reviewed on November 10, 2022. by
Dr Daniel Atkinson
GP Clinical Lead
Registered with GMC (No. 4624794)
Next review due on November 10, 2025.
Dr Daniel Atkinson

Product info

  • Pioglitazone is a generic tablet treatment for type-2 diabetes.

  • It helps improve insulin sensitivity to lower blood sugar levels.
  • It’s available in three doses: 15mg, 30mg, and 45mg.

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£36.95
  • Prices include:
    Express shipping

    24 hour shipping by secure courier.

  • Consultation + Access to our clinicians

    Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.

  • Total
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    Save £0.00 each order
Pioglitazone Pioglitazone

What is Pioglitazone?

Pioglitazone is a generic tablet treatment for type-2 diabetes. It belongs to the ‘thiazolidinedione’ class of medicines, of which it is the only type that’s currently licensed for use in the UK. These treatments work by helping your body to use the insulin it produces better.

Insulin is a hormone that aids the lowering of blood glucose by storing the sugar that you eat in your cells for you to use as energy. Type-2 diabetes is a condition that causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), usually because your pancreas doesn’t produce as much insulin as it should, or because your cells aren’t able to properly use the insulin that you do produce.

Sometimes type-2 diabetes can be well controlled by only making lifestyle adjustments, such as a healthy diet and exercise, but sometimes you need to take treatments like Pioglitazone to help you maintain low blood sugar levels.

How does Pioglitazone work?

Pioglitazone works by increasing your cell’s sensitivity to insulin. It does this by stimulating specific receptors in your cells responsible for interacting with insulin. By doing this, your cells become better able to transport and use the glucose in your blood, which can lower your blood sugar levels.[1]

Pioglitazone doesn’t increase your insulin production. Because of this, Pioglitazone won’t be as effective for you if your pancreas’ insulin secretion is low, and you might need to take an additional treatment alongside Pioglitazone to increase your insulin levels.

What doses of Pioglitazone are there?

Pioglitazone is available in three different doses: 15mg, 30mg and 45mg. The typical starting dose is for you to take one 15mg tablet a day, which will then be increased if needed up to a maximum of 45mg once a day.

Our clinician will recommend the most suitable dose for you once you’ve talked to us about your health.

Treated trusted sources:

  1.  Smith, U. (2001). Pioglitazone: mechanism of action. International Journal of Clinical Practice. Supplement, [online] (121), pp.13–18
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Daniel Atkinson
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 10, 2022. Next review due on November 10, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Pioglitazone Pioglitazone

How to take Pioglitazone

You should always take Pioglitazone exactly as instructed by our clinician. To take Pioglitazone, simply swallow one tablet, whole, with water. If you’re following a special diet for your diabetes, you should continue with this whilst you’re taking Pioglitazone.

How long does it take Pioglitazone to work?

Pioglitazone takes a few weeks to lower your blood sugar levels. If your diabetes doesn’t give you any symptoms you might not notice any effect from taking Pioglitazone – this doesn’t mean it’s not working, though. It’s important that you keep taking your diabetes treatment, even if you don’t feel any different, to reduce your risk of getting health problems in the future.[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Pioglitazone?

If you accidentally take too much Pioglitazone you should seek medical help straight away. Taking too much Pioglitazone can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be very serious if left untreated. You should take one tablet of Pioglitazone a day (or as prescribed). If you forget to take your tablet one day, don’t take an extra one the next day to make up for it. Just continue with your prescribed schedule as normal.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. nhs.uk. (2019b). Pioglitazone: medicine to treat type 2 diabetes. [online]
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Daniel Atkinson
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 10, 2022. Next review due on November 10, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Pioglitazone Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

Pioglitazone Pioglitazone

FAQ: Pioglitazone

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is Pioglitazone different from other treatments for diabetes?

Answer:
Pioglitazone is the only ‘glitazone’ licensed for use in the UK. Because of this, any other treatment that you get won’t have quite the same method of action, and will work in a different way to lower your blood sugar.

The first-line treatment for type-2 diabetes is usually metformin. Pioglitazone will typically only be prescribed to you if metformin hasn’t been suitable or effective for you.

Many other diabetes treatments increase the amount of insulin that’s secreted from your pancreas, whereas Pioglitazone works to improve the way that your cells interact with and use insulin.

Is Pioglitazone similar to any other treatments?

Answer:
Pioglitazone has a branded equivalent, called Actos. Both Actos and Pioglitazone contain the same active ingredient, and are both available in the same doses. Because of this, both of these treatments will have much the same effect on your body.

Actos, as the branded treatment, will just be produced by one lab, and be branded in a specific way, whereas Pioglitazone is produced by different companies and might range in appearance. Generic treatments like Pioglitazone are typically cheaper than branded ones.

Which dose of Pioglitazone should I use?

Answer:
The dose of Pioglitazone that you’ll use will depend on your health needs and how well you respond to it. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll start on the lower dose treatment.

Your HbA1c (the test of your average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months) will be measured after a few months of taking it, and if your clinician thinks that the treatment isn’t working well enough at this dose they may decide to increase your dosage.

Do I need a prescription for Pioglitazone?

Answer:
Yes, you need a prescription for Pioglitazone. This is because it isn’t a suitable treatment for everyone, and your condition will need to be monitored whilst you’re using it to make sure it continues to be suitable for you.

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