Pioglitazone and Metformin Dosing

When switching from metformin to the combination drug pioglitazone and metformin, dosing generally starts at 15 mg/500 mg or 15 mg/850 mg, depending on how much metformin you were taking. When switching from pioglitazone, you may take a starting dose of 15 mg/500mg twice daily or 15 mg/850 mg once daily. If necessary, your pioglitazone and metformin dosing may be slowly increased up to a maximum of 45 mg/2550 mg per day.

 

An Introduction to Pioglitazone and Metformin Dosing

Pioglitazone and metformin (Actoplus Met®) is a combination of two different diabetes medications: pioglitazone hydrochloride (Actos®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®). The dose of Pioglitazone and metformin that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How well your diabetes is controlled
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you are currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Pioglitazone and Metformin Dosing for People Switching From Metformin

If you are switching to pioglitazone and metformin from just metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, or Riomet), the recommended starting dose is pioglitazone and metformin 15 mg/500 mg or 15 mg/850 mg, taken once or twice a day, depending on how much metformin you were previously taking. If necessary, your healthcare provider may slowly increase your pioglitazone and metformin dose up to 45 mg/2550 mg total per day.
 
(Pioglitazone and Metformin Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;