Pioglitazone: What You Need to Know About Generic Actos
Key takeaways:
Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. It belongs to a class of medications called thiazolidinediones (glitazones or “TZDs”).
Pioglitazone has a lower risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), but it can cause weight gain, swelling, and other side effects.
There are many ways to save money on generic Actos. With GoodRx, you could pay as little as $11.84 at certain pharmacies. You could also get pioglitazone for less than $10 with a GoodRx Gold membership.
Actos is a brand-name medication designed to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. In 2012, a generic version called pioglitazone was brought to the market. Since then, several other Actos generics have been launched.
Aside from generic availability, there are other important things to consider if you’re prescribed Actos or pioglitazone.
What is pioglitazone used for?
Pioglitazone is an oral Type 2 diabetes medication for adults. It’s part of a class of medications called thiazolidinediones (also called glitazones or “TZDs”). TZDs work by improving your body’s ability to use its own insulin. They also slow down your liver from making extra glucose.
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Pioglitazone is meant to be taken alongside a diabetes-friendly diet and exercise plan. And it’s typically prescribed in combination with other diabetes medications, including metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin.
What are the possible pioglitazone side effects?
Unlike certain other diabetes medications, pioglitazone has a lower risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood glucose). But it can cause a few other more common side effects, including:
Upper respiratory tract infection
Headache
Sinus infection
Muscle pain
Sore throat
Pioglitazone can also cause your body to hang onto more fluid, causing swelling in the legs. This can lead to new or worsening heart failure. And it can also be a problem if you have kidney disease.
Other more serious side effects linked to pioglitazone include an increased risk of bladder cancer and fractures.
5 ways to save on generic Actos
Your healthcare provider may decide that pioglitazone is right for you. If that’s the case, you’re probably wondering if there are things you can do to make your prescription more affordable. Below, we’ll discuss five tips to help you save on generic Actos.
1. Opt for the generic
If you’re prescribed Actos, the first step toward savings is to ask for the generic, pioglitazone, instead. Your pharmacist may do this automatically. But if they don’t, tell them that you would prefer the generic. They can contact your provider about making the switch, if needed.
2. Use insurance
If you have prescription insurance, pioglitazone may be covered under your plan. Check with your insurance provider for exact coverage details. Since it’s a lower-cost generic medication, it may be on a lower tier. This means your copay may be less than if you filled brand-name Actos.
3. Use a GoodRx discount
GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price of pioglitazone at certain pharmacies. The price of generic Actos is as low as $11.84 with a GoodRx discount.
4. Sign up for GoodRx Gold
You can access over 1,000 medications for less than $10 with a GoodRx Gold membership. This includes pioglitazone. You can also skip a trip to the pharmacy and get your prescription sent directly to your home with free home delivery.
5. Order a 90-day supply
Instead of paying a copay every 30 days, you could pay one copay every 90 days. In this case, a larger-quantity prescription may save you some out-of-pocket costs. But you may need a new prescription from your healthcare provider, or approval from your insurance to get a 90-day supply.
The bottom line
Pioglitazone is the generic version of Actos, an oral Type 2 diabetes medication for adults. Common pioglitazone side effects include upper respiratory tract infections, headache, and sinus infections. It can also cause weight gain and swelling.
There are several ways to save if you’re prescribed brand-name or generic Actos. Switching to the generic, using GoodRx, and filling a 90-day supply are a few examples. Talk to your pharmacist about which options may be best for you.
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References
Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2022). Pioglitazone hydrochloride [package insert]. DailyMed.
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