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Compare Metaglip vs. Actos

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

Key takeaways

Glipizide/metformin (formerly known as Metaglip) and Actos (pioglitazone) are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Both medications help lower your blood sugar, but they have several differences between them. Glipizide/metformin is a combination of two medications: glipizide, a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from the pancreas, and metformin, a biguanide that reduces sugar production and absorption while improving insulin sensitivity. Pioglitazone, on the other hand, is a thiazolidinedione that improves the body's response to insulin. Glipizide/metformin must be taken with meals to avoid low blood sugar, while pioglitazone can be taken with or without food. Pioglitazone may take several weeks to show its full effect, while glipizide/metformin starts working within 30 minutes. Additionally, pioglitazone has an increased risk of bladder cancer and fluid build-up, which can worsen or cause heart failure. Serious side effects of glipizide/metformin include an increased risk of lactic acidosis and low vitamin B12 levels

  • Glipizide/metformin
    Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Glipizide/metformin
    Pioglitazone (Actos)

  • Summary of Metaglip vs. Actos

    Summary for Sulfonylurea / Biguanide
    Prescription only

    Glipizide/metformin combines two diabetes medications into one tablet: glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin (a biguanide). It's approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults along with diet and exercise. This medication is typically taken by mouth once or twice a day. Some common side effects of glipizide/metformin can include diarrhea and headache; it isn't likely to cause weight gain or weight loss.

    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 Metaglip vs. Actos

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

  • Pros and Cons of Metaglip vs. Actos

    Pros and Const for Sulfonylurea / Biguanide
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Combination medication, so more convenient to take
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to take with meals
    •Can't take during pregnancy
    •Not an option for children
    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 Metaglip vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea (18%)
    •Headache (13%)
    •Cold or flu infection (10%)
    •Low blood sugar levels (9%)
    •Muscle pain (8%)
    •Nausea, vomiting (8%)
    •Stomach pain (6%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    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 Metaglip vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for
    •Lactic acidosis
    •Possible risk of serious heart problems
    •Low blood sugar levels
    •Low vitamin B12 levels
    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 Metaglip vs. Actos

    Learn more about Glipizide/metformin
    Learn more about Pioglitazone

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