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Compare Glucotrol vs. Actos

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Glipizide (Glucotrol XL) and Pioglitazone (Actos) are used to treat Type 2 diabetes, but both medications have several differences between them. Glipizide helps lower blood sugar by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. It is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms and must be taken with meals to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels. On the other hand, pioglitazone helps improve your body's ability to use insulin and can be taken with or without food. While glipizide can cause weight gain and low blood sugar, pioglitazone may take several weeks to show its full effect and carries risks like fluid build-up, heart failure, and bladder cancer. Additionally, pioglitazone is known to improve "good" cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides, whereas glipizide does not have this benefit. Both medications can be taken together if needed, but each has its own set of side effects and risks that you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

  • Glipizide
    Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Glipizide
    Pioglitazone (Actos)

  • Summary of Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Summary for Sulfonylurea
    Prescription only

    Glipizide is a sulfonylurea medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It lowers blood sugar levels by telling your pancreas to release more insulin. Glipizide is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. Some side effects of this medication include dizziness and diarrhea. Taking glipizide can also put you at risk for dangerously low blood sugar, so it's important to take this medication with meals.

    Summary for Thiazolidinedione
    Prescription only

    Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise. It's a thiazolidinedione, which works by helping your body respond better to insulin. This medication is taken by mouth once a day and is available in both brand and generic forms. Side effects include headache, swelling in the body, and weight gain. There's also a serious warning that it can cause or worsen heart failure.

  • Indications of Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise

  • Pros and Cons of Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Pros and Const for Sulfonylurea
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Extended-release tablets taken once daily
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Raises your risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
    •Need to take with meals or 30 minutes before a meal
    •Can cause some weight gain as a side effect
    Pros and Const for Thiazolidinedione
    Pros
    •Only taken once a day
    •Rarely causes dangerously low blood sugar when taken by itself
    •Can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Can cause fluid buildup in the body
    •Not safe for people with moderate to severe heart failure
    •Not a good choice for people with bladder cancer

  • Common Side Effects of Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Nervousness (4%)
    •Tremor (4%)
    •Passing gas (3%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (3%)

    Note: Side effects were reported by people who took glipizide ER (Glucotrol XL) in clinical studies.

    Common Side Effects for
    •Swelling (27%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (13%)
    •Headache (9%)
    •Heart failure (8%)
    •Sinus infection (6%)
    •Pain in the arms and legs (6%)

    Side effects above are for pioglitazone (Actos) taken alone. These might differ if it's taken with other medications.

  • Warnings of Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood sugar levels
    •Risk of low red blood cell count (hemolytic anemia)
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Risk of harm in people with certain stomach problems (extended-release tablets)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart failure and swelling
    •Low blood sugar (when used with other medications)
    •Liver problems
    •Bladder cancer
    •Risk of bone fractures
    •Eye problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Glucotrol vs. Actos

    Learn more about Glipizide
    Learn more about Pioglitazone

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