Key takeaways
Toujeo (insulin glargine) and Actos (pioglitazone) are both prescription medications used to manage diabetes, but they have some important differences. Toujeo is a long-acting insulin used for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, while Actos is a thiazolidinedione used only for Type 2 diabetes. Toujeo is injected under the skin once daily, whereas Actos is taken by mouth once a day. Toujeo is available only as a brand-name medication, while Actos is available in both brand and generic forms and so may be more affordable. Common side effects of Toujeo include low blood sugar and cold symptoms, while Actos can cause swelling and headache. Actos can worsen heart failure and is not recommended for people with moderate to severe heart failure, whereas Toujeo can cause low blood sugar. If you take Toujeo with another type of insulin, always check the medication labels to be sure you are using the right one.
