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IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs. PIOGLITAZONE/METFORMIN - ORAL (PYE-oh-GLI-ta-zone/met-FOR-min) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Actoplus Met WARNING: Pioglitazone may infrequently cause or worsen a certain heart problem (congestive heart failure). Tell your doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of heart failure, including swelling of the hands/feet, unusual/sudden weight gain, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness. Metformin can rarely cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition called lactic acidosis. Get medical help right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis: unusual tiredness, dizziness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, stomach pain with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur in patients who have certain medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease, recent surgery, a serious infection, conditions that may cause a low level of oxygen in the blood or poor circulation (such as congestive heart failure, recent heart attack, recent stroke), heavy alcohol use, a severe loss of body fluids (dehydration), or X-ray or scanning procedures that require an injectable iodinated contrast drug. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these conditions occur or if you notice a big change in your overall health. You may need to stop taking this medication temporarily. The elderly are also at higher risk, especially those older than 80 years who have not had kidney tests. (See also Side Effects and Precautions sections.)
USES: This combination medication is used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). This medication should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes). Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems. Proper control of diabetes may also lessen your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Pioglitazone belongs to a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones or "glitazones". Metformin and pioglitazone work by helping to restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce. Metformin also decreases the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using pioglitazone-containing products.
HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking pioglitazone/metformin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice daily with meals to decrease stomach upset. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, kidney function, and response to treatment. Your doctor may direct you to take a low dose of this medication at first, gradually increasing your dose to lower the chance of side effects such as upset stomach. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your blood sugar levels to find the best dose for you. Follow your doctor's directions carefully. The maximum recommended dose is 45 milligrams of pioglitazone or 2250 milligrams of metformin per day. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day. If you are already taking another anti-diabetic drug, follow your doctor's directions carefully for stopping/continuing the old drug and starting this medication. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Keep track of the results, and share them with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar measurements are too high or too low. Your dosage/treatment may need to be changed. It may take up to 2 to 3 months before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.
SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, sore throat, muscle pain, weight gain, tooth problems or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after taking the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor immediately. Stomach symptoms that occur after the first days of your treatment may be signs of lactic acidosis. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if either of these serious side effects occurs: new/worsening vision problems (such as blurred vision), bone fracture, reddish-colored urine, urgent need to urinate, pain while urinating. Pioglitazone may rarely cause liver disease. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of liver disease, including: dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain. This medication usually does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar may occur if this drug is prescribed with other anti-diabetic medications (such as insulin or a sulfonylurea). Low blood sugar is more likely if you drink large amounts of alcohol, do unusually heavy exercise, or do not consume enough calories from food. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out what you should do if you miss a meal. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, rapidly raise your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use of this product. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away. Your dosage may need to be increased. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: See also Warning section. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to pioglitazone or metformin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe breathing problems (such as obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), metabolic acidosis (such as diabetic ketoacidosis), blood problems (such as anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease (such as congestive heart failure, chest pain), fluid in your lungs, swelling (edema), a certain eye problem (macular edema), bladder cancer. Before having surgery or any X-ray/scanning procedure using injectable iodinated contrast material, tell your doctor that you are taking this medication. You will need to temporarily stop this medication before the time of your surgery/procedure. Consult your doctor for further instructions. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar levels. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcohol while using this medication because it can increase your risk of lactic acidosis and developing low blood sugar. High fever, "water pills" (diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide), too much sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause loss of too much body water (dehydration) and increase your risk of lactic acidosis. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you have prolonged diarrhea or vomiting. Be sure to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration unless your doctor directs you otherwise. It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is stressed (such as due to fever, infection, injury, or surgery). Consult your doctor because increased stress may require a change in your treatment plan, medications, or blood sugar testing. Pioglitazone may increase the risk of bone fracture in women (usually in the upper arm, hand, or foot). See also Notes section. Older adults may be at greater risk for side effects such as low blood sugar or lactic acidosis. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Your doctor may direct you to use insulin instead of this product during your pregnancy. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (promote ovulation) and increase the risk of becoming pregnant. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the use of reliable birth control while using this medication. Metformin passes into breast milk in small amounts. It is unknown if pioglitazone passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Other medications can affect the removal of pioglitazone from your body, which may affect how pioglitazone works. Examples include gemfibrozil, rifamycins including rifampin, among others. Many drugs can affect your blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to control your blood sugar. Before you start, stop, or change any medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how the medication may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor about the results and of any symptoms of high or low blood sugar. (See also Side Effects section.) Your doctor may need to adjust your anti-diabetic medication, exercise program, or diet.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Overdose can cause lactic acidosis. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, rapid breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. You should attend a diabetes education program to learn more about diabetes and all the important aspects of its treatment, including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications, and getting regular eye/foot/medical exams. Lifestyle changes that help promote healthy bones include increasing weight-bearing exercise, eating well-balanced meals containing adequate calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Consult your doctor to see if you need to take calcium/vitamin D supplements and discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function tests, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts, eye exams) should be performed periodically to check for side effects and monitor your response to treatment. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada). Information last revised March 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.
Prescription Return Policy
We are prevented by law from accepting returns for any prescription medication. If you need to dispose of any medication, please follow the steps below...
FDA Guidelines on Proper Methods of Disposing of Unused Medicine
For guidelines on proper methods of disposing of unused medicines, consult the following FDA link: www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm
As a general rule of thumb, do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so. For information on drugs that should be flushed visit the FDA’s website.
To dispose of prescription drugs not labeled to be flushed, you may be able to take advantage of community drug take-back programs or other programs, such as household hazardous waste collection events, that collect drugs at a central location for proper disposal. Call your city or county government’s household trash and recycling service and ask if a drug take-back program is available in your community.
If a drug take-back or collection program is not available:
1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.
3. Put this mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx number, on the empty containers by covering it with black permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off.
5. Place the sealed container with the mixture, and the empty drug containers, in the trash.
Shipping Policy
Although we strive to fill your medication as quickly as possible, we are not an urgent facility. Please obtain a local fill of your medication if you have an emergency or urgent needs to ensure no disruption with your medical therapy.
All orders ship from Titusville, FL. We offer 100% FREE shipping on all orders. We ship orders Monday through Friday. We only ship to valid street addresses within the state of Florida. No Post Office boxes.
For all orders, you can expect the following shipping times: 1-2 business days.
Please note that prescription items cannot be shipped until a valid, verified prescription is on file. In addition to the shipping times stated above, please add up to 1-2 business days of processing time to all orders.
Offer to Counsel
If you have any questions regarding this prescription or any other medication, please feel free to contact us at info@atyourdoorpharmacy.com or during store counseling hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm, Eastern) at (407) 476-1721.
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act
At Your Door is committed to protecting your privacy. As a healthcare provider, we know that your trust in us is of central importance. This policy discloses our information use and policies and procedures in detail. Please read it to learn more about the ways we protect the information we collect and to find out how you can limit the information about you that is shared. If At Your Door should change its information practices, we will provide you notice of any material changes.
Strict Security Measures
At Your Door takes the security of information very seriously and has established security standards and procedures to prevent unauthorized access to patient information. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to comply with federal standards to guard patient information.
The following are ways AtYourDoorPharmacy.com will use and disclosure your Personal Health Information (PHI). Every allowable use or disclosure may not be listed:
For Treatment AtYourDoorPharmacy.com will use and disclose PHI to coordinate and manage your healthcare in order to dispense your prescription medication.
For Payment AtYourDoorPharmacy.com will use and disclose PHI to receive payment for our services. We may disclose your PHI to other HIPAA covered entities or business associates who may need it for their processing of your healthcare payments.
For Healthcare Operations AtYourDoorPharmacy.com will use and disclose PHI for administrative purposes to evaluate and improve the quality of care we provide you.
We may also use or disclose PHI for the following purposes
Business associates AtYourDoorPharmacy.com may provide some services through contracts with HIPAA compliant business associates. The business associates must enter into a confidentiality agreement to protect your PHI from unauthorized use and disclosure.
Communication with individuals involved in your care If you do not object, AtYourDoorPharmacy.com may disclose PHI to a friend or family member who is involved in your care.
Parents or legal guardians If you are a minor, we may release your PHI to your parents or legal guardians when we are permitted or required to do so under federal and applicable state law.
Health related communications AtYourDoorPharmacy.com may contact you to provide refill reminders or other health-related services that may be of interest to you as permitted by law.
As required by law We may disclose PHI when required to do so by federal, state or local law.
Law enforcement We may disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes, in response to a subpoena or other legal process.
Public Health As required by law, we may disclose PHI about you to public health authorities to prevent or control a serious threat to the health and safety of another person. We may also disclose PHI for the purpose of reporting adverse events and product recalls
Health Oversight Activities We may disclose PHI to an oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These activities would include pharmacy investigations, audits, credentialing and inspections required for our licensure. These are governmental agencies who monitor the health care system who are subject to government regulation and civil right laws.
Judicial and administrative proceedings We may disclose your PHI in response to a subpoena, court or administrative order, or other lawful process, but only if efforts were made to notify you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the requested PHI as required by law.
Coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors We may disclose PHI to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also disclose PHI to funeral directors as necessary with applicable laws so they may carry out their duties.
Organ, eye and tissue donation We may disclose PHI, consistent with applicable law to organizations who engage in organ procurement or transplant to facilitate the donation.
Research Under certain circumstances, we may disclose PHI for research purposes. Before disclosing PHI we would either remove information that personally identifies you or obtain your written authorization.
Military and Veterans Under certain circumstances, we may disclose to military authorities PHI or armed forces personnel.
National Security We may disclose PHI to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
Correctional Institution We may disclose PHI of an inmate to the institution when necessary for your health or the health and safety of others.
Workers’ compensation We may disclose your PHI to comply with Workers’ Compensation Laws or other similar programs.
Individual Rights
In most cases, you have the right to look at or get a copy of health information about you that we use to make decisions about your care. You also have the right to receive a list of instances where we have disclosed health information about you for reasons other than treatment, payment, or related administrative purposes. If you believe that information in your record is incorrect or if important information is missing, you have the right to request that we correct or add the missing information. We will take precautions to prevent inappropriate or non-essential use or distribution of patient information when transmitted via the Internet and while the pharmacy possesses such information. You may request in writing that we not use or disclose your information for treatment payment and administrative purposes except when specifically authorized by you, when required by law, or in emergencies. We will consider your request but are not legally required to accept it.
Other Uses and Disclosures of your PHI
We are required by law to protect the privacy of your information, provide this notice of our information practices, and follow the information practices described in this notice. AtYourDoorPharmacy.com will request written authorization from you before using or disclosing your PHI for purposes not included in this document or as otherwise permitted or required by law. If you provide authorization and want to revoke this authorization at any time, or have any questions or complaints, this can be done in writing at any time by sending a written request to:
Atyourdoorpharmacy.com
Attn: Privacy Officer
100 E. Pine St.Suite 110
Orlando, FL
You may also call if you have any questions or complaints, please contact AtYourDoorPharmacy.com at (407) 476-1727
This revocation will not affect any use or disclosure of your PHI allowed by your authorization while it was in effect.