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Actos for Diabetes Treatment

Type 2 diabetes is serious medical condition where your body becomes resistant to insulin or simply stops producing it. According to the Mayo Clinic, the complications of type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular problems, neuropathy, kidney problems, circulation issues leading to possible amputation. Actos is an FDA medication that helps maintain proper insulin levels for diabetics.

  1. Benefits

    • Actos is a once-a-day diabetes medication that regulates fasting blood sugar. You should take Actos along with making modifications in diet and exercise to maintain control over your diabetes. Actos is a good medication option for diabetics, according to Dr. Daniel Einhorn, M.D., because it is an oral medication that can be used in conjunction with other medications, such as metformin, insulin or sulfonylureas. Instead of adding glucose or reducing insulin resistance, Actos helps the body use insulin more efficiently. You can take Actos with or without food. Actos comes in three dosage levels that will be prescribed by your doctor to suit your medical needs.

    Side Effects and Risks

    • The Mayo Clinic warns that use of Actos may lead to swelling and weight gain. This may have a detrimental affect on patient health placing you at higher risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart failure. Although Actos can lower triglycerides it may increase LDL cholesterol, further increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. Long-term use may increase risk of liver problems. You still need to regularly check your insulin levels when on Actos.
      Some of the other oral diabetes medications promote weight loss and help increase triglycerides. Always consult your doctor about what medications you can and can not combine. If you have any concerns about adverse reactions, talk to your doctor about other options.

    Costs

    • While Actos is an effective type 2 diabetes, it is more expensive than many other oral diabetes medications according to Mayo Clinic figures. If you are using Actos, expect to pay between $90 to $250 each month for your medications, depending on your insurance program. This is similar to other high-priced diabetes medications such as Avandia, Symilin and Byetta. Lower-priced medications range from $4 to $100 per month and include Glucotrol, Amaryl and Fortamet.

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