What Is Pioglitazone and Metformin Used For?

What is pioglitazone and metformin used for? This combination drug helps lower and control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Since there has not been enough research on the effects of pioglitazone and metformin on children, the prescription drug is only licensed to treat adults. Occasionally, pioglitazone and metformin is used for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

 

What Is Pioglitazone and Metformin Used For? -- An Overview

Pioglitazone and metformin (Actoplus Met®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It combines two different diabetes medications: pioglitazone hydrochloride (Actos®) and metformin hydrochloride (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®).
 
Pioglitazone and metformin cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes (see Actoplus Met and Type 1 Diabetes).
 

Effects of Pioglitazone and Metformin on Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, cells do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. As a result, the cells do not take sugar out of the blood very well. This is why people with type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar.
 
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play an important role.
 
Pioglitazone and metformin is used for treating type 2 diabetes in people who cannot lower blood sugar through lifestyle changes alone (such as weight loss, diet, and exercise). The two medications in pioglitazone and metformin work differently and have different effects in the body:
 
  • Pioglitazone is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called "glitazones"). It helps to improve insulin sensitivity. This means that pioglitazone helps your body respond to its natural insulin better, which helps to lower blood sugar.
     
  • Metformin works in several ways. It decreases the amount of sugar (glucose) made by the liver. Metformin can also decrease the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet and can make insulin receptors more sensitive, helping the body respond to its own insulin better. All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.
 
(What Is Pioglitazone and Metformin Used For? Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;