ACTOplus met is a 2-in-1 prescription medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. The two medications in ACTOplus met are: 1. ACTOS decreases insulin resistance?a condition in which the cells in your body have become resistant to a hormone (called insulin) that lets them turn blood sugar (glucose) into energy. 2. Metformin works mainly by lowering the amount of sugar made by your liver. If you have type 2 diabetes, diet, exercise, and medication can help lower your blood sugar (glucose) levels and keep them in a healthy range. This is important because good blood sugar control is the key to successful management of your type 2 diabetes. For a lot of people, however, diet, exercise, and one prescription medication are not enough to control blood sugar levels. Sometimes, it is necessary to use more than one medication, and that?s where ACTOplus met comes in. You can think of ACTOplus met as a helpful tool to help you meet your blood sugar goals. And when your blood sugar is in control, it not only helps you feel better, it?s also the best way to help reduce the risk of long-term health problems. Important Safety Information About ACTOplus met? (pioglitazone HCl and metformin HCl) ACTOplus met contains two prescription antidiabetic medicines: pioglitazone HCl (ACTOS) and metformin HCl. ACTOplus met is used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes who are already taking ACTOS and metformin together, or taking metformin alone and it is not controlling blood sugar at normal levels. ACTOplus met is not for everyone. Certain patients with heart failure should not start taking ACTOplus met. ACTOplus met can cause or worsen congestive heart failure. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience rapid weight gain, fluid retention (swelling), or shortness of breath. A small number of people who have taken metformin, a component of ACTOplus met, have developed a rare, serious condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood, can be fatal in about half the cases. Because lactic acidosis occurs most frequently in people with kidney problems, ACTOplus met should not be used in people with kidney disease or in people 80 years of age and older whose kidneys do not work properly. ACTOplus met should not be taken by people with metabolic acidosis, or with hypersensitivity to pioglitazone, metformin, or any other component of ACTOplus met. ACTOplus met should not be taken by people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. ACTOplus met should be discontinued in patients with severe infection or in patients undergoing X-ray studies using intravenous contrast dye. Talk to your health professional before discontinuing any medications. Your health professional should perform a blood test to check for liver problems before you start ACTOplus met and periodically thereafter. Do not take ACTOplus met if you have active liver disease. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin. If you are of childbearing age, talk to your doctor before taking ACTOplus met, as it could increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Some people, particularly women, are at higher risk of having bone fractures while taking ACTOplus met. Patients with diabetes should have regular eye exams. If you experience vision problems, consult your doctor immediately. Very rarely, some patients have experienced visual changes while taking pioglitazone, a component of ACTOplus met. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
