Actos in the treatment of diabetes type 2

Diabetes type 2 (insulin depended diabetes) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia which is a result of insulin secrection or mechanism of its interaction with tissue cells.

This type of the disease is conditioned by decrease sensitivity of tissue to insulin. Insulin is well is synthesized normally at the beginning of the disease. In certain cases a healthy diet and weight loss helps to normalize carbohydrate metabolism and reduce the synthesis of glucose in the liver.

However, while the diseases progresses the production of insulin by β-cell of the pancreas is gradually decreased. This ultimately requires regular insulin injections to maintain an even sugar level in the blood. Diabetes type 2 is the most common type of diabetes (85-90%) and is more commonly observed in patients over 40 years of age and is related to obesity. The disease is developed slowly. In the course of time such complications as micro and macro - angiopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy is developed. Diabetes type 2 is treated by a wide variety of medicines. Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is one of them.

Actos is taken for type 2 diabetes and usually one time a day. It helps your blood glucose levels to stabilize, making you more sensitive to your own insulin. So that means, it works against your insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your own insulin cannot enter your cells properly. Actos breaks through this barrier, by allowing insulin to get into the cells where it needs to be.

Actos can be given in three strengths. These are 15 mg, 30 mg, or 45 mg. All are round and white tablets.

Many doctors will use Actos in a combination with other drugs such as Glucophage or Glucotrol. Actos by itself, doesn't promote the onset of low blood sugars, but used in combination with these other drugs, this can happen. If you are on any of the sulfonyurea types of drugs such as Glucotrol, Prandin, or others, always carry Glucose tablets with you just in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar.

Actos also helps high blood cholesterol levels and triglycerides. This is most common in people with type 2 diabetes. It works to increase the good cholesterol levels and along with a healthy diet, works in your favor.

Actos might be a good drug for you if your dietary changes and activity combined do not change your blood sugars. Also, if your blood sugars are ranging high before meals, this drug may be a good choice.

Take your Actos pill the way you are instructed by your doctor as you would any medications. There are a number of side effects connected with Actos that you should be aware of as well. These are things like:

• Serious side effects are feeling asthma-type symptoms and becoming short of breath, feeling nauseated, and vomiting. Actos can also cause angina, (chest pains, ) and weight gain that is rapid. You may also notice clay-colored stools, darkened urine, and a low-grade fever all of the time. Other serious side effects still on the list include abdominal pains, bruising and bleeding, intensive thirst, hunger, and frequent urination.
• The less serious side effects are a headache, weight gain, common cold type symptoms, and muscle pain. If you are having any of the serious side effects or the less serious side effects, talk to your doctor.