Actos Alternatives

If blood sugar levels cannot be controlled with Actos, alternatives for the medication are available. Lifestyle changes, injectable diabetes medications, and other oral diabetes medicines are common alternatives. Let your healthcare provider know if Actos does not work for you or if side effects occur, so he or she can recommend Actos alternatives that may be more effective for your condition.

 

Actos Alternatives Explained

Actos® (pioglitazone hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones. For most people, Actos is effective in treating diabetes and is tolerated well. However, side effects can occur or the medicine may not completely control a person's diabetes. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Actos.
 
Some of these Actos alternatives include:
 
  • Other oral diabetes medications (see Diabetes Medication) 
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Insulin and other injectable diabetes medications.
      

Oral Diabetes Medicines

Fortunately, there are many other different types of oral
 diabetes drugs available to treat type 2 diabetes, including:
 
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Biguanides
  • Meglitinides
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Alpha glucosidase inhibitors
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
  • Combination medications.
     
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are medications that force the pancreas to make more insulin. Because of this, they are very effective in controlling blood sugar but are also more likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). These medications include:
 
Biguanides
Metformin (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, or Riomet®) is the only biguanide medication currently available. The drug works by helping the body use its natural insulin better. It also decreases sugar (glucose) production by the liver and decreases sugar absorption from the diet.
(Actos Alternatives Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;