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What are the possible side effects of pioglitazone?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking pioglitazone and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite;
• unusual fatigue;
• yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
• dark urine.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you experience an unusually rapid increase in weight or edema (swelling, water retention), shortness of breath, or chest pain during treatment with pioglitazone. These may be early symptoms of heart problems.
• Although pioglitazone does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol consumption. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
• Other less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take pioglitazone and talk to your doctor if you experience:
• headache;
• muscle aches; or
• sore throat, nasal discharge, or cold symptoms.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pioglitazone?

• Pioglitazone may decrease the effects of some birth control pills. Additional measures may be necessary to prevent pregnancy while taking pioglitazone. Talk to your doctor about the use of birth control.
• Before taking pioglitazone, tell your doctor if you are taking ketoconazole (Nizoral). Ketoconazole may interact with pioglitazone.
• Do not take over-the-counter or prescription cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight-loss medications during treatment with pioglitazone without first talking to your doctor.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pioglitazone or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about pioglitazone written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

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Version: 4.03. Revision Date: 2/14/03.