Actos: Profile Of A Potentially Dangerous Drug
Actos, also known as Glustin, Pioglitazone, Pioz
, Glizone and Zactos, is a drug used for the treatment of diabetes and hyperglycemia. In 2008, the drug came in at number 10 in the United States for the years best selling drugs with sales of just over $2.4 billion. The drug has been available since 1999 and is made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Actos works in reducing the livers insulin resistance, decreases glucose withdrawal in the liver, increases insulin-dependent glucose expense and reduces insulin, glycated hemoglobin and glucose in the patients bloodstream. In addition, it has been shown to assist in the reduction of triglyceride levels and increases HDLs without causing a change in LDLs or total cholesterol. Although the drugs main purpose is to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is has also been used to treat fatty liver disease and has been shown to decrease diabetes risk in those diagnosed with prediabetes or borderline diabetes.
Actos is contraindicated in patients with pioglitazone hypersensitivity, as well as those with sensitivity to thiazolidinediones and any forms of them. It is also contraindicated in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus and could actually be harmful if used in these patients. It has not been established whether or not the drug is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers or for those under the age of 18. In addition, the drug is not recommended for anyone suffering from liver disease of any type or in patients suffering from heart failure.
Side Effects of Actos
The side effects of Actos vary in nature from the mild and more common to those side effects that are more severe in nature and occur rarely. A brief listing of the side effects of Actos is listed below:
Anemia
Congestive heart failure
Fluid retention
Headache
Hypoglycemia
Upper arm, foot and hand fractures
Peripheral edema
Weight gain
Tooth problems
Sinusitis
Myalgia
Upper respiratory tract infection
Myocardial ischemic events
Increased risk of bladder cancer
The FDA has forced the manufacturer of Actos to add a black box warning regarding the drugs extremely dangerous side effects, namely the potential for heart failure and bladder cancer. This warning is the FDAs most strict and is the highest step that can be taken other than removing a drug from the market completely.
These more extreme risks have been shown in study date to be increased in patients that use Actos for extended periods of time. However, the drugs manufacturer is busy conducting additional tests to further determine the risks of the drug. Further studies have shown that a patients risk increases with the dosage of Actos as well as the treatment duration. The review of the five year study showed that patients using the drug for more than a year had an increased bladder cancer risk, which is ultimately what influenced the FDA to place the warning. However, the manufacturer is conducting a more comprehensive 10-year study to obtain additional information regarding the true risks.
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by: juddieh
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