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Duetact Side Effects
Among the possible side effects with Duetact, low blood sugar, unexplained weight gain, and upper respiratory tract infections are some of the more commonly reported problems. Although rare, side effects such as symptoms of low blood sugar, trouble breathing, swelling in the legs, or vision changes should be reported to your healthcare provider. Most people, however, have no problems with Duetact side effects.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Duetact® (pioglitazone and glimepiride). However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Duetact quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(The Duetact side effects discussed below are not a complete list of reported side effects. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Although the Duetact has not been studied in clinical trials, several studies have looked at the effects of combinations of pioglitazone with sulfonylureas (such as the combination that is in Duetact) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In these studies, side effects occurring in the group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to side effects that occurred in a similar group of people not taking the medicine.
Based on these studies, the most common Duetact side effects include:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) -- in up to 15.7 percent of people (see Duetact and Blood Sugar)
- Upper respiratory tract infections (similar to the common cold) -- up to 14.8 percent
- Weight gain -- up to 13.4 percent (see Duetact and Weight Gain)
- Swelling or fluid retention (edema) in the legs or ankles -- up to 12.3 percent
- Headache -- up to 7.1 percent
- Urinary tract infections (such as bladder infections) -- up to 6.8 percent
- Diarrhea -- up to 6 percent
- Nausea -- up to 5.1 percent
- Pain in the arm or leg -- up to 5.4 percent.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD