Is Pioglitazone the Same as Generic Actos?

The answer is no. Pioglitazone is the active ingredient in the diabetes medication but is not a generic version of the drug. What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of any drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off patent, and then another company (besides the original manufacturer) would make the product.