What is the most important information I should know about metformin and pioglitazone?
You should not use this medicine if you have severe heart failure, severe kidney disease, active bladder cancer, metabolic acidosis, or ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
Metformin and pioglitazone can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Call your doctor at once if you have shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, or rapid weight gain.
If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking metformin and pioglitazone.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you have unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, feeling cold, or feeling very weak or tired.
What is metformin and pioglitazone?
Metformin and pioglitazone is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.
Metformin and pioglitazone is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who do not use daily insulin injections. Metformin and pioglitazone is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Metformin and pioglitazone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metformin and pioglitazone?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to metformin or pioglitazone, or if you have:
- severe heart failure;
- severe kidney disease;
- active bladder cancer; or
- metabolic acidosis or ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
If you need to have surgery or any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you may need to temporarily stop taking metformin and pioglitazone. Be sure your caregivers know ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney problems;
- congestive heart failure or other heart problems;
- fluid retention;
- eye problems caused by diabetes;
- bladder cancer;
- a heart attack or stroke;
- liver disease; or
- if you are 80 years or older.
This medication may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
You may develop lactic acidosis, a dangerous build-up of lactic acid in your blood. This may be more likely if you have other medical conditions, a severe infection, chronic alcoholism, or if you are 65 or older. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Metformin and pioglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, but not treating your diabetes can also damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
Metformin may stimulate ovulation in a premenopausal woman and may increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your risk.
Women may be more likely to have a broken bone while using metformin and pioglitazone. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Metformin and pioglitazone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take metformin and pioglitazone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take metformin and pioglitazone with meals. Take the extended-release tablet once daily with your evening meal.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
You may have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda).
Your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injection kit in case you have severe hypoglycemia. Be sure your family or close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.
Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.
Metformin and pioglitazone is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
If you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking metformin and pioglitazone, take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of metformin can cause lactic acidosis, which can be fatal.
What should I avoid while taking metformin and pioglitazone?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar and may increase your risk of lactic acidosis.
What are the possible side effects of metformin and pioglitazone?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Some people using metformin and pioglitazone develop lactic acidosis, which can be fatal. Get emergency medical help if you have even mild symptoms such as:
- unusual muscle pain;
- feeling cold;
- trouble breathing;
- feeling dizzy, light-headed, tired, or very weak;
- stomach pain, vomiting; or
- slow or irregular heart rate.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- pink or red urine, painful or difficult urination, new or worsening urge to urinate;
- changes in your vision;
- heart problems -- swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
- liver problems --loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- weight gain;
- diarrhea; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect metformin and pioglitazone?
Many drugs can affect metformin and pioglitazone, making this medicine less effective or increasing your risk of lactic acidosis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about metformin and pioglitazone.
