Glitlite

by MediPlus

Active ingredient: Pioglitazone

Packs

Tab · 15 mg · 14's (038571)
Tab · 30 mg · 14's (038572)

About Pioglitazone

Hypoglycaemic excluding Insulin

Uses

Monotherapy for type II diabetes, particularly overweight patients, inadequately controlled by diet and exercise for whom metformin is inappropriate. In combination with metformin particularly in overweight patients, or in combination with a sulphonylurea in patients with an intolerance or contraindication to metformin, for type II diabetes inadequately controlled by maximal tolerated doses of either metformin or a sulphonylureas.

How to take it

Monotherapy: Adults: 15-30 mg once daily, increasing to 45 mg once daily if necessary. Combination therapy: Adults: 15-30 mg once daily, increasing to 45 mg once daily if necessary, in combination with current dose of metformin or sulphonylureas. Children: Not recommended.

Side effects

Monotherapy: Visual disturbance, upper respiratory tract infection, weight gain, hypoesthesia. With metformin: Anaemia, weight gain, headache, visual disturbance, arthralgia, haematuria, erectile dysfunction, oedema. With a sulphonylureas: Weight gain, dizziness, flatulence, oedema, arthralgia. Triple therapy: Raised creatine kinase, hypoglycaemia, arthralgia. With insulin: Hypoglycaemia, back pain, arthralgia, dyspnoea, cardiac failure.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Dialysis, hepatic impairment. Cardiac failure or history of cardiac failure, diabetic ketoacidosis. Bladder cancer or history of bladder cancer, uninvestigated haematuria. Precautions: Monitor for fluid retention or other signs of cardiac failure (discontinue if deteriorates). Monitor for signs of hepatic dysfunction and check liver enzymes prior to therapy and every 2 months thereafter for at least 12 months. Monitor body weight.

Advice

Take with or without meals. If a dose is missed, take as soon as possible. Do not double the dose next day if a dose is missed completely one day. Contact prescriber if there is respiratory infection; unusual weight gain; worsening of hyper/hypo glycaemic condition; unusual swelling of extremities; shortness of breath; fatigue; yellowing of skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stool, nausea, vomiting or muscle pain. Follow prescribed dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Follow glucose monitoring instructions as prescribed. Keep appointments for liver function tests, as prescribed, typically every 2 months during first year of therapy and annually thereafter. Female patients are at risk for…

Full information on Pioglitazone →

Interactions with Pioglitazone

Insulin (contraindicated), NSAIDs, gemfibrozil, rifampicin.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take, including herbal products.

Need Glitlite? Ask us to source Glitlite and our pharmacist will call you back.