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Compare Novolog vs. Actos

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

Key takeaways

NovoLog (insulin aspart) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both used to manage diabetes, but they work in different ways and are used for different types of diabetes. NovoLog is a fast-acting insulin that helps lower blood sugar levels quickly by moving sugar into your body for energy. It's typically injected under the skin before meals and is used for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, Actos is a thiazolidinedione taken as a daily pill that improves your body's ability to use insulin, but it is only for type 2 diabetes. While NovoLog can cause low blood sugar and weight gain, Actos may take several weeks to show effects and can cause fluid buildup, weight gain, and increase the risk of bladder cancer and bone fractures. Additionally, Actos is not suitable for people with heart failure or bladder cancer, whereas NovoLog requires careful monitoring to avoid low blood sugar.

  • Novolog (insulin aspart)
    Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Novolog (insulin aspart)
    Pioglitazone (Actos)

  • Summary of Novolog vs. Actos

    Summary for Insulin
    Prescription only

    NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

    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 Novolog vs. Actos

    Indications for
    •Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults
    Indications for
    •Type 2 diabetes in adults, along with diet and exercise

  • Pros and Cons of Novolog vs. Actos

    Pros and Const for Insulin
    Pros
    •Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
    •Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs
    •Can use if you have liver or kidney problems
    •Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use
    Cons
    •Given multiple times per day (before each meal)
    •Must give as an injection
    •Might be hard for some people to inject properly
    •Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain
    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 Novolog vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for

    Type 1 diabetes:

    •Severely low blood sugar (17%)
    •Headache (12%)
    •Accidental injury (11%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)

    Type 2 diabetes:

    •Muscles slow to react (11%)
    •Severely low blood sugar (10%)
    •Fungal nail infection (10%)
    •Impairment of your senses (9%)
    •Urinary tract infection (8%)
    •Sinus infection (5%)
    •Chest pain (5%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)
    •Headache (5%)
    •Skin problems (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 Novolog vs. Actos

    Common Side Effects for
    •Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
    •Low blood potassium levels
    •Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
    •Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)
    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 Novolog vs. Actos

    Learn more about Novolog
    Learn more about Pioglitazone

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