There are 261 ratings for the drug: ACTOS in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for actos: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2 3    Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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5	Glucose levels of 275 -290 morning	Weight gain of about 10 pounds	Diabetes was diagnosed about 20 year’s ago. I could not tolerate Metformin and was on 45 mg Actos and 5mg Glyburide up to 3 year’s ago. I ran around 95 Glucose daily, no matter what I ate. I lost some weight on a diet and the doc took me off the Actos. That was my demise. I tried for 3 years to get him to put me back on, and he would only put me on Avandia. Avandia didn’t work at all for me and besides taking max. of Avandia (8 mg daily) I was also taking max of Glyburide (20 mg a day). My numbers were 275 – 290 daily. The doc then ALSO put me on insulin, saying he had no choice, as “he said” my body apparently was worn out with the years of taking diabetic med's. It took the act of the VA switching from Avandia to Actos to get me back on Actos. No matter what the doc’s think about both those med's being extremely similar, Actos is my wonder drug. I dropped the insulin within 3 weeks and am just taking the 45 mg of Actos and 10 mg of	M	67	20 years		12/14/2007 Email
4	Type II Diabetes	None after about 15 years of treatment	No weight gain or other side effects. I am a physician. My Hgb Aic is 5.9. I also take Metformin and Starlix.	M	72	15 years		8/16/2008
3	Type II Diabetes	Extreme weight gain of over 100 lbs since starting it 10 years ago. Extreme edema in ankles and feet. Not sure about Actos as the cause for other side effects - I am also on Metformin and Glyburide. Numbers wouldn't go down until I took Actos. Stopped taking it for a while to see if that was causing my weight gain. In one month, with no changes, I lost 22 lbs. but my numbers shot up and decided to go back on it.	Anyone having any other side effects like low oxygen levels, vision disturbances (flashing lights), sleep disturbance, frequent urination at night that is uncontrollable? Just spent a few days in the hospital and ended up on oxygen full-time now. Doctors can's determine why I'm having the problem.	F	52	10 years		3/29/2006 Email
5	Type II Diabetes	None	There are no calories in a pill. The calories come from the fork in your hand. To the person who commented below, if you read the ProActive study, Actos decreased to risk of heart attack and stroke. Byetta is helpful in losing weight because it makes you feel full so you stop eating... What a novel idea, you quit stuffing you face and you actually lose weight? Wow. Just better hope you don't develop pancreatitis. The last patients who developed necrotizing and hemorrhagic pancreatitis from Byetta had a nearly 100% mortality rate. The whole name of the game is controlling your sugars. Wouldn't you rather gain 5lbs and not have a heart attack in 5-10 years. Or I guess the alternative is looking a little slimmer in your casket... The choice is yours.	M	45	9 years		2/23/2009
3	Diabetes 2	Weight gain of 50 pounds in 6 months. Took it for about 8 years. Finally stopped it about 8 months ago and have slowly and easily lost the extra 50 pounds gained. Several times I had the feeling of being bloated to the point of feeling like my face would explode.		F	57	8 years		5/9/2008
1	Diabetes	Bloating, weight gain, leg and muscle cramps, fluid retention, fatigue,joint and chest pain.	My doctor added Actos 8 yrs ago to the Metformin I was taking.It improved my A1C but I gained 8 lbs/year & began suffering leg/muscle cramps.My ankles & feet became swollen & joints so sore I could hardly move.On 1200 calorie/day diet & exercise I couldn't lose weight.I became so fatigued & short of breath, I could hardly function.Exercise became harder because of the pain in my legs & joints.I'm 6'6" & always been 250 lbs & now found myself over 300.Those saying it was the "twinkies or stuffing my mouth", I was eating 1200 calories per day & running 2 km.My doctor wanted to "staple" my stomach.After spending a night in hospital where doctors thought I was having a heart attack, I decided it was enough. I'd read about weight gain with Actos & talked my doctor into letting me drop this horrible drug.He doubled my Metformin to 2000mg per day & I stopped taking Actos.Without changing anything in my diet or daily routine, I began losing a pound every 2 days.The first month I lost 15 pounds.My doctor couldn't believe it.It's been 4 months now & I've lost 40 lbs! The loss slowed to 5 lbs a month now, but it took me 8 years to put it on.I wouldn't take this drug for anything in the world.It'll drive you to an early grave.I'm still fatigued & seeing a neurologist for damage caused to my legs & my A1C is higher now at 7.3, but my doctor prefers the weight loss to the lower A1C.By the way, I'm now eating 1	M	49	8 years		8/19/2009
1	diabetics	ACTOS KEPT MY SUGAR UNTIL CONTROL - BUT COULDN'T WORK OUT WHY MY SHOES ALWAYS TO BE STRETCHED BEFORE WEARING - SWOLLEN ANKLES AND WEIGHT GAIN. HAVE BEEN OFF TABLET NOW FOR 6 MONTHS - SHOES ARE NOW TOO BIG AND LOST 8LBS - NEVER GOING ON IT AGAIN		F	58	8 years 45 1X D		5/30/2010
1	Type 2 diabetes	weight gain over a period of years of almost 100 LB. bloating and edema. joint pain. weight gain got worse as dosage increased. The more weight I gained, the more the doctor prescribed.	I finally quit taking it 3 months ago against my endo's advice. I told her when I went back last week for checkup that I had stopped taking it and refused to take it anymore. I have been using Byetta( which she prescribed) and taking Cinnamon supplements. Was she surprised when I had lost 15 LB and and my A1c was 6.0. She did not even prescribe any replacement meds for me. Said I was doing an excellent job of controlling my sugar without it. I wouldn't take Actos again for any amount of money.	F	54	7 years		9/29/2007 Email
5	Type II Diabetes	Have been on Actos 30mg for 6 years, and have maintained an A1C of 5.7. Prior to Actos, I was on Metformin and Amaryl for 5 years, but A1C was never below 7. Actos does a great job controlling your sugar, but that doesn't mean you can start eating whatever you want. I want to laugh at you people who say you've gained 50-100lbs because of the drug. Quit shoveling Twinkies, 3 plates of pasta and a stick of butter into your mouths daily and you probably will stop ballooning. This comment section just gives obese people something other to blame their obesity on besides themselves. Honestly, how did 99% of you become diabetic anyway???	And Actos doesn't cause heart attacks. I've done a ton of research in the area. Avandia causes heart attacks, Actos actually decreases the risk of having one. Januvia is weight neutral, and doesn't control your blood sugar (might as well take Tylenol). Byetta will make you lose weight, but then you have an increased risk of pancreatitis. Glimipiride, glyburide, glicizide can all lead to your beta cells burning out quicker and hypoglycemia. Actos is the best drug on the market to treat the disease we have, pharmacologically speaking. Dump the excuses, take ownership of your disease and maybe you'll live to see your grandchildren.	M	49	6 years		1/18/2009
2	Type 2 diabetes	Like alot of others I have had weight gain, swelling in ankles, sore throats, constant "sweet" gravings, bloating of stomach,tiredness, dizziness and occasionally vertigo and shortness of breath.	My Doctor seems to be more happy with me on this drug than I do. Yes my numbers are in a pretty good range with this med, but I'm miserable. There has got to be a better way.	F	54	6 years		6/25/2007 Email
1	type II diabetes	weight gain of about 45 lbs (20 lbs this past year), just found out I have anemia, and several years ago, I had 8 sinus infections in one year and had to have sinus surgery. I have been very tired and weak from the anemia.	Actos really did help the diabetes. I had a lot of lows (as low as 50) and it did its job, but the side effects were horrible. I have been on it about 6 years and this past year has been the worst. I have just gone off Actos and on insulin and and am still trying to get my numbers under control. But, I am beginning to feel better. I would NOT recommend this drug	F	60	6 years		8/27/2005 Email
1	Type II Diabetes	Tremendous weight gain over 100 lbs. I was on this drug for several years and had horrible swelling of my legs, hands and midsection. Persistant, productive cough. Muscle pains, lethargy. Insatiable appetite.	I quit taking Actos on my own right after I had a doctor's appt. where I weighed in at 298 lbs. Before I started taking it I weighed 170 lbs. I read on the internet that it caused edema and weight gain. I quit taking it on my own, without my doctor's knowledge. Three month later and 36 lbs lighter I had the best A1C test I have had in years. My doctor was thrilled, and asked what I had done to achieve that, and told him I stopped taking the drug he prescribed. He was not happy, but 6 months later I am no longer ravenously hungry, 48 lbs lighter, have more stable blood sugars. I also have recently started eating natural and organic foods...and stay completely away from ANYTHING with high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated anything. I am 55 years old. Last year at this time I felt 90. I now feel closer to my chronological age. I still take glucophage and insulin, but I am working toward becoming drug-free if I can. I would NEVER recommend Actos to anyone. As a side note, the product	F	55	6 years		3/21/2008 Email
5	type 2 diabetes	None		M	64	5 years		1/9/2010
4	Type 2	Don't know if it's Actos by it self because my Dr has me on a cocktail of 2000mg metformin,100mg ofJanuvia and 45mg ofActos, but I have developed a thin skin condition where in stead of bruising I bleed under the skin.The Januvia works great as an appetite supressant because I dropped 20lbs after I started taking Januvia.		M	60	5 years		8/4/2009
4	Diabetes II	Actos took care of my very high first morning Blood Sugars. Dr. started me on 45 mg. Negatives: leg and ankle swelling, belly bloating, lethargy. Positives: It keeps my wake up sugars in control.	17 lb. weight gain in 11 days (dr. said I must be eating too much!). Since the 5 yrs. I've been taking this, I've gained another 30#, same diet or less, but it does keep my sugar under control. Lots of swelling in legs and ankles. Dr. just cut me to 30 mg. but he wouldn't really say why. He never would agree the swelling was being caused by Actos before...hmmm	F	58	5 years		9/14/2005
3	type 2 diabetes	Thinning hair and hair beakage, weight gain.	I took 15 mg for a few years and didn't really notice any problems until dr took me to 30 mg last summer to lower my A1C level. I've gained about 35 pounds since then. I could not account for my hair loss and breakage before but since the dr increased my dosage, along with the weight gain there is an increase in my hair breakage and its beginning to thin on top. Has anyhone else had this sympton?	F	59	5 years		6/11/2007
3	Type 2	Well, been taking for 5 years now. Have had severe nervousness, shortness of breathe at times. Thought it was "anxiety" attacks. Never had them before and they still occur. Never thought it might be this drug but will talk to my Endo. about this again. He never related it to this drug but think he should. Swelling in feet and ankles. Decent job helping BS levels.	First time I've read others who take this drug. Very concerned this drug is the problem. Have also gained a lot of weight since taking this drug. Never attributed that with Actos either. I remember taking Glucophage when I was diagnosed in 2001 but had to stop because of side-effects.	M	45	5 years		5/21/2007
1	Type 2 diabetes	Weight gain of 70 LB in last year since increasing to 30MG, severe swelling in ankles and legs, flatulence, anemia, extreme fatigue, and fractures in both feet, low blood sugar at times and craving of sweets	I tried to lose weight and tried Weight Watchers and just kept gaining weight, doctor says to stay on it even though it causes weight gain as A1C IS 5.8. Doctor says I must not be following the diet correctly.	F	54	5 years		7/13/2007
1	Blood Sugar Control	After my mother has been on Actos for about 5 years, the last six months she is experiencing significant abdominal swelling edema primarily of the legs and feet.	How long after stopping Actos does water retention improve? When my mother first started using Actos I liked it because it effectively helped manage her blood sugar levels. Her Drs. (cardio/kidney) recently took her off Metformin (kidney impact), Actos (swelling/edema), and Avapro (too low blood pressure). We are using Glipizide since to manage her sugar control, so far that is working well. It is too soon to tell if the Actos is the culprit with the swelling but that is my main concern right now. My mother is very winded just walking around within the house short distances. I've seen questions on this site about how long it takes after stopping Actos for the swelling/edema to start to improve but there seems to be no clear answer. Today is day four and so far no significant improvement. I would love to hear from others on this topic about when we might see edema problems subsiding.	F	85	5 years 15 MG 1X D		4/27/2010 Email
1	Diabetes II	Weight gain, hip and feet pain, evere edema in feet spreading to legs, arm, stomach and face. Extreme fatigue. Tooth pain.	My endrocrinologist took me off Actos and within a week I had lost 13 pounds without changing my eating or exercise habits, all the other pains, edema, etc, have resolved. This clearly was the Actos and I will never take it again. I can't even imagine what this was doing to the inside of me. I reported these symptoms to multiple doctors who told me to watch my sodium intake. Sodium had nothing to do with this and that was a huge cop out from these doctors who I will be looking to replace. Very sad doctors don't support their patients when they report these symptoms. I feel so much better now since I stopped taking this even though my blood sugar has had an increase it just isn't worth the horrible pain and impact on my quality of life these last 5 years. I don't feel like I am going crazy anymore and it's so nice to see my skinny ankles again! :)	F	46	5 years 30mg 1X D		3/24/2010
1	Type 2 Diabetes	Gained over 30 pounds in 5 years, severe swelling in legs, severe leg cramps at night, fatigue,muscle and joint pain.	Was taking this with Metformin and Glyburide. Stopped taking Actos and lost the 30 pounds in 90 days. Muscle cramps and swelling went away. Would not recommend this to anyone!	M	50	5 years		8/19/2009
5	Type II Diabetes	None	Reduced blood sugar level from an average 600+ to 140 w/o really modifying diet or excercise	M	67	4 years		7/13/2007
4	Type II Diabetes	Trouble controlling weight, Tired all the time, I've developed High blood pressure. Untill recently I thought this was a great drug. Now I'm not sure	I just found a bunch of web sites that talks about heart problems with Actos. I've been taking actos for approxomately 4 years and have had high blood pressure for roughly 3 yrs...Do your research before taking this. Now I'm seeing a cardioligist I'm very concerned	M	47	4 years		8/14/2007 Email
3	Type II Diabetes	Have been gaining weight despite diet. GAINED 60 LBS IN TWO YR		M	60	4 years		3/25/2007
3	Type II	Started on 30mg but increased to 45 mg in second year due to A1C slightly above target of 6. Increased Appetite, Weight Gain yr by yr about 4 lbs with better diet and moderate exercise regimen. MAJOR lethargy problem along with reduced sleep quality is a serious concern. Also had long term foot (fascitis) inflamation problem within months of starting Actos. Never had any problems prior.	Also taking Hyzaar to get avg BP down to around 125/70 and Simvastatin (Zocor)which is doing great job on Chloreserol. Wondering about any interactions or whether either of these contribute to side effects.	M	55	4 years		5/23/2007 Email
2	PCOS	possible weight gain, shortness of breath, lethargy	Began ACTOS when I could not tolerate Metformin. Initially with 30 mg, AF returned for 2 cycles, but then stopped again. I never felt that the Actos did anything but continued to take it on advice of endocrinologist. Later added Metformin XR. Gradual wt gain over 4 years possibly due to Actos or SSRI also taking. Now planning on d/c Actos because of "black box" warnings in this class of medicine.	F	28	4 years		9/15/2007
1	Better blood sugar control	Weight gain, 40-50 pounds in 4 or so years, severe leg swelling	I was taking 2000 mg Metformin and my doctor added the Actos several years ago for better control. Better control did occur with A1C levels well below 7. I was trying to ignore the weight gain, but finally I couldn't ignore it any longer as I was obese to begin with. I had lap band surgery to get rid of the weight and was allowed to go off Actos after surgery. I've lost 48 pounds in about 3 months, but it's been hard work. The Actos weight comes on easily but doesn't come off as easily. I think I've lost the Actos weight now and can now begin to lose the rest of the weight I need to. My husband had the same Actos experience. He's type 2 but insulin dependent. He begged his doctor to take him off Actos so they switched him to 3 more shots per day with Symlin and he's lost 13 pounds. He'd rather take extra shots than deal with the Actos weight gain. Actos is evil!!	F	51	4 years		7/27/2008
3	Diabetes	Anemia	I have mild anemia. The lab report said it could be a side effect of medication. Have other people taking Actos noted Anemia?	M	30	3.5 years		2/17/2008
5	Type 2	None	Actos brought my BS readings to 105 or below all the time. Best if I take in the AM.	M	47	3 years		6/7/2007
5	NIDDM	Slight ankle edema	Ha1C went from 12 to 5.2 in three years. Will come off Actos in a couple of months and see how I do with NO DRUGS. Originally tried Metformin but couldn't take the side effects so Actos is all I've take for diabetes and it has helped me control my BG to the point where I am (on my lab test results) testing in non-diabetic ranges. Can't wait to see how I do with just diet and exercise.	F	42	3 years		7/31/2006 Email
4	Diabetes 2	Out of the 20 possible side effects listed in the package leaflet from Takeda, Vertigo,Dizziness, and Insomnia bother me the most.	I know it that besides taking the Actos I also need to cut down on sweets (cookies) and do some excercise. So wrote the FDA in a 2002 letter. So far, I have managed to stay at A1C of 6.1 +/- 0.1 with 30 mg daily tablet. As a retiree on Medicare Drug Plan D I'll enter the donut hole this month (July). Since Actos price is sky hi in the US I have been ordering it from Canada for the 6 months supply left this year. I have paid $208 for 84 tablets by Takeda, plus S&H and $20 for credit card conversion fee. See www.DoctorSolve.com. I wished that there was a reliable alternative to Actos. Metformin did not help me enough. At age 80 I weigh 230 lbs. It would be nice if I lost 30 lbs. Hey, I go to the gym 3 times a week and take a daily walk of 45 min with the dog.	M	80	3 years		8/3/2009 Email
3	Type II diabetic	I have experience extreme fatique, swelling in my ankles and feet. Also joint pain to the point of not being able to walk. Have had some severe dizzeness.	A1C is now at 6.1 but cannot loose weight. Dr told me to stop taking the meds immediatly and increse my Lantis	M	54	3 years		6/22/2007 Email
3	Type II Diabetes	Dry cough - almost constant, WEIGHT GAIN (46 pounds total over 3 years), edema in ankles/feet, lethargy. I also take glyburide, and I think that weight gain is a side effect from that, also. I wonder if the weight gain is just from eating after BG levels drop and trigger extreme hunger?	Let's see - the way I understand it, being overweight puts stress on your kidneys, heart, and lungs; Type II can be caused by obesity; Actos helps lower BG, but one of the common side effects is weight gain, which puts more stress on the kidneys, heart and lungs......... My Doctor put me on 45 Mg and I never associated the side effects with the drug. I have also awakened at night feeling like I can't breathe and I wonder if that is also a side effect.	M	55	3 years		2/5/2007
3	Type 1 1/2 diabetes	Was on 45mg for 3 years with a weight gain of 12lbs within the first 6 months. No more after that but couldn't drop the extra weight no matter how hard I worked at it. Since my diabetes has been progressive i went off actos after I started insulin therepy. I lost 7lbs within 3 months. my blood sugars went back up so I went back on 15mg and have gained back 4lbs already. I am going back off it since to me the weight gain isn't worth it to me.		F	34	3 years		5/22/2006
3	type 2 diabetes	leg and foot swelling, breathlessness, weight gain.	This medication worries me. I wake up in the night fighting for breath. Actos is very effective at lowering blood sugar.	F	61	3 years		12/14/2005 Email
2	Type II Diabetes	Blurred vision, numbness in feet, high morning BG levels, gained weight.	When I first started taking Actos, it did reduce my blood sugar levels and my A1C. I gained 20# in 6 months after being the same weight for nearly 8 years. I recently developed a blurry spot at the center of my vision and started doing some research about what could cause it. I learned that I probably have macular edema and Actos was a possible cause so I stopped taking it. My BG levels used to be 170-200 in the morning and now they have dropped to below 140. My eyesight has been coming back and the numbness in my feet has also been improving. I currently take Amaryl and Metformin and am on a low carb diet.	M	40	3 years		7/18/2006
2	Type 2 Diabetes	It controlled my blood sugar but I experienced 40 pounds of weight gain.	My doctor has recently switched me to Byetta (2 months ago) and I have lost 10 pounds since going off Actos	F	47	3 years		4/10/2008
1	Diabetes	Medium amnemia and strong muscle aches	Doctor insists that I have internal bleeding and that this is not a side effect of Actos. No blood in stool, now going through colonoscopy and complete 'light' tube down throat and into intestines. Have been on Actos-Avandia for years. Doctor jokingly said I would not die of disease but of side effects of medication! WHY DON'T DOCTORS KNOW MORE ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS? They take at face value what the drug pushers tell them when they deliver their little samples of death.	M	70	3 years		8/20/2008 Email
1	Type II Diabetes	Weight gain, exhaustion, depression, joint pain, muscle aches. Tried Metformin, and had severe gastric upset.	It seemed to regulate the A1c, but the weight gain of 40lbs was not acceptable. I DO NOT shovel food into my mouth, in fact, avoid all sugars, and keep carbos at less than 20% of the daily caloric intake, exercise faithfully, and still I gained 40lbs!!!!. I've been off Actos for a month now, and feel better every day. I'd rather experience quality of life, and am working on a more holistic method of dealing with Diabetes, and it is working!	F	60	3 years		2/24/2009
1	high blood sugar ,	70 + lb weight gain!, not even diet pills from endocrinolgist helped me lose, thyroid issues, swelling of feet and legs, excessive upper respiratory infections,shortness of breath ,when I got my A1-c in line (6.1)and KEPT it there , asked caregiver if i could come 'off' the ACTOS,as i had read some 'bad press' on the drug, he said "NO, lets not mess with a 'goodthing' I assumed he knew what he was doing...recently I have had severe shortness of breath and upper respiratory problems, my 'new' P.A.did a 'pulmonary' functin test, which I failed, they gave me a'breathing treatment' which worked great, then gave me an allergy shot' along with medicated inhalers (one for asthma like symtoms, the other just a 'rescue breather' she quickly took me OFF the ACTOS,( by this time I was up to 45 mgs. she said lets get you OFF this stuff AND hope too much damage has not already happend it looks like you may already have an enlarged heart due to this med." I am scheduled for an echogram	I am LIVID that my health has been compromised by this drug. My husband wants to choke the caregivers who insisted on keeping me on it. I am overweight and consistantly complained to ALL my caregivers they just offered 'diet pills' which did little more than make me run around like the EVERREADY BUNNY !that I eat LESS and gain weight, even though i try to swim daily (summer) I can't 'walk' for exercise because of hip pain as well as muscle pain, I now see where other patients complaints parrot mine, even my upper respiratory condition and breathing issues. I can only hope that some of these symtoms are reversible my A1-C has remained 6.1 for over a year and they still didn't stop the ACTOS!! until Pam my P.A. noticed the ACTOS listed on my chart and told me to STOP IT as she was concerned I might have an enlarged heart..Ithen told her my other symptoms, she didn't get too involved with that, but is sending me for a echogram to see if my heart is damaged. anyone reading this...	F	61	3 years		5/21/2008 Email
1	yes for a few years	def weight gain headaches	i read a few comments and the one thing i would like to say GET OFF THE STUFF actos is a steroid. the doctors will not tell you. i have weighed 270lbs for so long a diet exercise. NOTHING. i just found out myself that its a steroid. i stopped taking it for a month now i take what you call a tissue cleanse it consists of HERBAL SUPPLEMENT NO.19A,VITRATOX NO.16 DETOXIFICANT AND INTESTINAL PURIFICATION VIA ALIMENTARY CANAL AND INTESTINAL CLEANSER NO19. AND I TAKE CHROMIUM PICOLINATE AND BILLBERRY FOR MY TYPE 2 DIABETES. I TELL U I NEVER FELT SO GOOD. AND DIG THIS JUST 1 MONTH AGO I WEIGHED 270 NOW I WEIGH 251LBS AND STILL LOSING. i encourage all of you to please leave this killer medication alone. im 34 years old and im trying to live long enough to see my daughter get married someday. i bought my herbs at this lovely place called the herb nook in phila pa his name is ron he is magnificant with his vast knowledge of herbs. and best of all he does not try to sell you something that you do not need. i love this man i feel like he saved my life if anyone have any question about anything please emial me at learybixon@aol.com thank you	F	34	3 years		6/6/2009 Email
1	DM type2 vs Metabolic syndrome ??	weight gain (30lbs) & unable to lose in spite of constant dieting.	I am RN--stopped it on my own 10 days ago-sugars range 86-156 testing 3-4x/day.I notice no patients are prescribed this in my hosp.I couldnt tolerate metformin(3 attempts) horrible stomach issues on it.I will see my primary MD tomorrow to get her opinion before I see(or change) my endocrinologist.He added Onglyza 5mg last visit--only out since Aug 'O9--didnt start it--will not be guinea pig.Pharmacist friend in my hosp never heard of it !!!! So frustrating !!!!!	F	59	3 years		12/17/2009
1	Type II Insulin Resistant	Weight gain, 40 lbs over 3 years, water retention with exercise, general lethargy after 2 years on drug.	VERY effective with respect to glucose control	M	51	3 years		5/25/2004
1	Diabetis control	Weight Gain & fluid retention	4/06-question: Have people lost weight after going off Actos? Also, after going off Actos two weeks ago, gout flared up in my right foot. Anyone else have that problem?	F	56	3 years		4/7/2006
1	diabetis	Ankle swelling, weight gain (est.40 lbs in past 3 years!) My former dr said if I cared more, I would lose the weight. Last week I was describing to my new dr how tiring it was to eat every 3 hours, or else I would feel woozy, clammy, or just not "with it" - as my blood sugars would drop. Doctor doesn't think I should be able to feel it dropping. He wanted me to quit the snacks, and eat only 3 meals a day. So I Kept a log on my sugars. At about 3 hours of no eating, my sugars dropped to 62...so then I'd need to eat a graham cracker or other snack. He's taken me off of Actos, and so I'm very hopeful that I will be able to lose some weight now and feel better. I did not realize that Actos might be lowering my sugars too low/too quickly.	Actos has taken a toll on my life/health - I'm just glad that I finally changed doctors.	F	56	3 years		3/26/2006
1	Type II Diabetes	40 lb. weight gain over past 3 years. Extreme water retention - mainly feet & ankles! Facial swelling at night - thought I was dying of congestive heart failure. Extreme lethargy after eating, sweets cravings. Doctor stopped Actos and started Glucofage - swelling & lethargy stopped almost immediately.	This is a scarey drug - I wish I had not taken it for the 3 years that I did. I now worry that I may have damaged my overall health - mainly my heart.	F	46	3 years		2/12/2006 Email
1	Diabetes Type II	Gained 45 lbs in the 3 years while stuggling to lose weight (with no luck) n Weight Watchers. Decided to stop the Actos 10 days ago and have lost 10.5 lbs already. Changed to Mmtaformin. I will NEVER take Actos again!		F	49	3 years 30mg 1X D		5/13/2010
1	Diabetic	Very rapid weight gain,severe shortness of breath, edema so severe my legs weep, fluid in the chest, swelling of feet, legs and hands.	My doctors just blamed all my problems on obesity. I KNEW there had to be another reason and after 3 long years of being nearly bedridden I just STOPPED taking it. I CAN NOW WALK and BREATHE at the SAME TIME again!! I just keep checking blood sugars and control with food intake.	F	57	3 years 45mg 1X D		6/25/2010
5	Diabetes	No side effects.	Was notified, however, that Actos will have a side effect of heart damge if take with Insulin Therapy. Since I use Insulin, I stopped using Actos.	M	57	2 years		8/21/2002
4	Type II Diabetes	Slight weight gain (15 pounds over three years) but may be eating habits rather than medication.	I've tried other Type II blood sugar decreasing medications but Actos has had the best effects of reducing blood sugar levels.	M	53	2 years		1/10/2006 Email
4	Type 2 Diabetes	I gained weight after taking 30mg of Actos but for me its a wonder drug. My blood suger came down and has stayed within acceptable limits ever since. The small weight gain versis having high blood suger is worth it.		M	49	2 years		1/27/2008
4	Diabetes Type II	No weight gain, lethargy upto some extent		M	33	2 years		11/24/2007 Email
3	Polycystic Ovaries	Was prescribed by my endocrinologist. Weight Gain 25+ pounds, Excessive abdominal bloating. I look as though I am 4 months pregnant.	I am a fit and trim person. I have never had a weight issue. I have maintained a weight of 115 lbs. Since taking Actos I have continued to gain weight despite a regimented fitness program. I run 15+ miles per week, eat healthy, swim, weight train 5 days per week, and ride bikes with my family in the evenings. My weight has spiked as high as 140. I was unaware that Actos could cause weight gain. I have an appointment with my physician to discuss switching medications.	F	34	2 years		9/21/2009
3	Type II Diabetes	30+# weight gain over last 18 months.	Seems to control Blood Glucose levels effectively but at what cost physically ? Is there something out there that can control BG nearly as well without the weight gain problem ?	M	69	2 years		8/1/2006 Email
3	type 11iabetes	slow weight gain and very swollen feet, legs and hands	very effective for controlling blood sugars...I am also on glyburide. I am not sure that I want to stay on it for much longer due to extreme fluid retention.	F	61	2 years		5/29/2005
3	Glucose Control	Worried about side effect on heart as reported in the news for Avandia		M	48	2 years		6/15/2007
3	Type II	I have pain in my Joints. I have gained weight.	I have been taking Actos for two years	M	53	2 years		8/8/2007 Email
2	Type II Diabetes	Been taking Actos 45 mg (along with Glipizide 10 mg.) Glucose level is under control- I give some credit. But I have GAINED about 25 POUNDS Thinking of totally stopping Actos.	Doctors seem to be focused on A1c but not about the weight gain at all.	M	50	2 years		6/9/2007
2	diabetes	no side effects	Just didn't work well for me. Finally stopped taking it at 45mg.	M	45	2 years		9/28/2004
2	Type II Diabetes	Gained 75 lbs and did not change eating habits	Leg and ankles are very swollen. I am going to the Dr today to see if she can change my med to something else. Ive been taking for 2 years.	F	35	2 years		6/29/2006
1	type 2 diabetes	major weight gain (100 pounds in 2 yrs), swollen ankles, constant ache in hips, increases after short walk ... after reading all these comments i may stop taking it. i really don't know of any benefit from this drug.		F	63	2 years		9/2/2007 Email
1	diabetes/type 2	30 lb. weightgain in 2.5 yrs,edema in feet,ankle,legs,severe calf pain,muscle cramps in legs/feet,waking up in night,hard to breathe,cough,short of breath on exertion,tired all the time,	My physician insisted I continue this med,even though he was told of my symptoms,I told him of them and that I had checked with the manufacturer and they told me to quit it,it was an adverse reaction,and that I had seen forums on the internet related to my symptoms.He told me"Don't believe anything on the net" and "Dont' look up any more information on it"So when he was on vacation,I had to go for an appt,saw associate that is diabebtes Dr.,and told me to quit taking it immediately,that I now have large weight gain&edema, Duh....I've known that for last year!!!PLEASE if your Doc won't lsiten,find a new one who will,this is a drug that I was told causes substantial weight gain in most type 2's,why they'd want us to deal with that too,I don't know...	F	47	2 years		3/30/2007
1	Type II	Was put on actos for type 2. Worked great for glucose levels. been on for 2 years, 75lbs weight gain, alot of edema/puffiness in belly. Having panic attacks at night due to feeling of "loss of breath" Afraid I have hit congestive heart failure. but have not. This medication can play mind games. Its horrible, if your doctor gives it to you, hand it back and ask for byetta.	Side effects are literally killer. Stay away from this. FDA needs to re evaluate this drug.	M	26	2 years		5/23/2007
1	glucose tolerance research study	after 1 year on 45 mg. dosage i devloped a blood disorder-anemia. on 06-2006 platelet count was 72.000 rbc 4.17 wbc 3.3 hgb 12.2 hct 36.7 rdw 22.0. been off it since 06-2006 most all deficets reached normal at the extreme lower end. platelets have not come up much latest # was 85.000 did experience extreme bleeding from nose today with visit to e.r.		M	64	2 years		12/2/2006 Email
1	REC OF DR FOR BLOOD SUGAR	WEIGHT GAIN, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, LACK OF ENERGY	TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH. DON'T LISTEN TO ALL THESE ARROGANT DOCTORS ARE THERE WHO REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND SIMPLY WANT TO TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT FOR THEM AND WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PATIENTS. THESE ARE ALL DANGEROUS DRUGS.	M	57	2 years		4/1/2007
1	Type II diabetes	Almost constant runny nose. Some vision disturbances. Now have a dislocated clavicle and 2 fractures of the upper right rib cage. Most likely caused by using Actos, since there was no trauma involved.	I would certainly not recommend the use of Actos. Although it has controlled my blood sugars really well and lowered my A1C down to 4.5, it is apparently way too risky for ones health	F	67	2 years 45 mg. 1X D		4/25/2010
1	insulin resistance	tooth pain, lost 2 teeth, stomach problems pain in shoulder and back, sinus infections double ear infections, finally told dr, that I am not taking Actos any longer, cost me alot of $ trying to figure out what was wrong, it was the Actos, saw reg pcp, gastro dr and ent dr, had mri of my head cat scan, dentist bills and blood work bills.	would rec not to start this drug, very bad side effects	M	48	2 years		1/28/2010
1	TYPE II DIABETES	RAPID WEIGHT GAIN,EXTREME SHORTNESS OF BREATH, ANEMIA, SWOLLEN LEGS AND FEET	THIS IS A MEDICATION THAT SHOULD BE WATCHED CAREFULLY BY MD'S BUT THE 'PILL PUSHER' MD TOLD ME TO 'BACK AWAY FROM THE TABLE' AT MY CONCERN REGARDING MY WT GAIN. THEN ADDED INSULT TO INJURY BY ADVISING ME TO 'ELEVATE YOUR LEGS 4 TIMES A DAY' TO RELIEVE THE SWELLING, NEEDLESS TO SAY NEITHER OF THESE MEDICAL WISDOMS HELPED THE SITUATION. I HAVE STOPPED THE ACTOS AND HAVE LOST 6 LBS. MY SHORTNESS OF BREATH HAS NOT RESOLVED. I AM 'MAD AS HELL' BECAUSE I WAS VERY ACTIVE, PLAYING GOLF, GARDENING, NOW I CAN BARELY MAKE IT TO THE MAILBOX	M	80	2 years 30MG 1X D		7/14/2010
1	Type 2 diabetic	I'm not sure if the following is from Actos but after reading what other people have written I seem to agree with them on the following side affects...Weight gain that I can't seem to loose. Extreem Fatigue. Swelling of ankles and legs.	Very expensive	M	66	2 years		9/18/2009 Email
1	Diabetes II	It is difficult to list all the side effects I have been suffering as some things could be related to other causes/drugs. I have been taking Actos for about 2 years now and last year when I went to visit my daughter and flew up north I experienced leg swelling for the first time in my entire life. Never has ANYTHING swollen on me unless I had a direct injury form a blow or fall. And until I came home and the swelling did not go away, I thought it could just be from the flying, I then began to notice that my breathing was labored when I would exert myself. And I don't mean extreme exertion either, I mean just bringing a bag in from the store!! Then I began to notice other things. Like a lack of energy, extreme tiredness, a rattle in my throat/chest, and feeling like my stomach was going to explode if I bent to put on shoes. I even had to buy velcro sneaks because I couldn't tie reg ones anymore!!! I attributed my weight gain to quitting smoking 2years ago but I have to say it was way to	I was also taking Crestor and a generic Statin drug for cholestrol lowering and so some symptoms I attributed to them. I stopped them by the way as the side effects were life threatening. But the lethargy, weight gain,swelling, difficulty breathing etc. has me stumped. I think I am going to stop the Actos for a while and see if I see any changes in those effects and if so, I will go to the Doc and say, sorry let's try somthing else. If I have to go on full insulin, so be it. But continuing this med may not be the right thing for me. As for those of you that insist, all of us complaining about this med think we are all just lazy slobs that pig out on food all the time and that is our problem? Where did you get your medical degree? and how dare you assume you know me! I stick to my diet faithfully and had a great A1c in Feb of 5.9 so I know I am eating correctly. These meds can be dangerous for a greater majority than was used in the original testing, done by the drug company. I think these boards are a good forum.	F	56	2 years		6/11/2009
1	Type II diabetes	I was on Actos for 13 months (12/06) before I notice blood in the urine (1/08) and diagnosed with bladder cancer 6 months later, bladder cancer is a risk associated with Actos as stated in the patient information paper that is packaged with the medication. I continued to take the Actos after I had surgery in Nov. 08, and stopped taking it when I refilled my precription and decided to recheck the side effects and read this shocking statement "this medication increases the risk associated with bladder cancer." I stopped this medication after rechecking the side effects in January 2009.	Would like to hear from anyone who took Actos and also had bladder cancer.	M	76	2 years		7/16/2009 Email
1	type II	70 pounds in 2 years, thought I was going through some mid-life crap - started taking an anti-depressant, dizziness. Just plain tired - can't get out of my own way. shortness of breath. I have felt like crap for 2 years - didn't know it was the actos until the doctor "upped" me from 30mg to 45mg and my feet/ankles swelled to balloon status and i found this website - the actos could explain everything - thanks!	I am going to stop taking it and try something else - my life since actos has been miserable.	M	49	2 years		8/3/2007 Email
1	TYPE 2 DIABETES	WEIGHT GAIN, WEIGHT GAIN AND MORE WEIGHT GAIN. THE MORE WEIGHT YOU GAIN THE WORSE YOUR DIABETES GETS. NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED TO LOSE ANY WEIGHT, INCLUDING DIETS AND ACTIVITY, I COULD NOT LOSE WEIGHT.	I WAS ONLY TAKING 15 MG DAILY OF THIS DRUG. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WAS ON 45 MG PER DAY AND SHE GAINED WEIGHT MORE QUICKLY THAN I DID. IN TWO YEARS OF USE I BALOONED FROM A HEALTHY 190 TO 250 LBS. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO MY PHYSICIAN CHANGED ME TO JANUVIA AND TOLD ME TO QUIT THE ACTOS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS IN A CLASS OF DRUGS THAT COULD CAUSE HEART PROBLEMS BUT BECAUSE IT COULD BE MAKING ME RETAIN FLUIDS AND GAIN WEIGHT. WOW, IN THE THREE WEEKS SINCE I CHANGED MEDICINES I HAVE LOST 12 POUNDS. WHILE JANUVIA IS RATED WEIGHT GAIN "NEUTRAL", THERE IS ANOTHER DRUG OUT NOW CALLED BYETTA WHICH IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND WHICH CONTAINS A CHEMICAL WHICH CAUSES WEIGHT LOSS IN MOST INDIVIDUALS. SO IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, UNLESS YOU ARE A RAIL...DO NOT GO FOR THIS DRUG AND ASK FOR ANOTHER. I DO WANT TO ADD, TO BE FAIR, THAT ACTOS DID AN EXCELLENT JOB CONTROLLING MY BLOOD GLUCOSE AND AN INCREASE WAS NOT REQUIRED.	M	66	2 years		9/13/2007 Email
1	Type II Diabetes	Weight gain, constant muscle and body aches, shortness of breath and severe stomach pain resulting in a couple of emergency room visits because doctors thought I was having a heart attack.	I have been off Actos for a couple of days now after doing much research online and realizing that the reason my weight loss efforts have been sabotaged was due to this medication. I have been following a very low carbohydrate program for 4 weeks and have not dropped an ounce. I have been taking glipizide and metformin for many years and my A1C was not as low as it needed to be so it was thought Actos would help. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. I also have a family history of heart disease and realizing that Actos can cause congestive heart failure, I could not figure out why a doctor would prescribe this medication to me. It makes no medical sense at all. The quality of my life has been extremely unsatisfactory and I only hope that what damage Actos has done to my body can be reversed.	F	54	2 years		3/5/2009
1		I experienced painful and extreme water retention and weight gain. I was not overweight before (5'10" and 160 pounds,) but by the time I stopped taking actos, I was 200 pounds. I gained 40 pounds over a period of 2 years. I have since lost 21 pounds since using byetta injections instead of actos. I severly hate actos. It is counter-productive in keeping a diabetic healthy.	The only positive part about it is that it controls the blood sugar levels well.	F	21	2 years		2/16/2009
1	diabetes type 2	One year of Emergency Rooms and hospitalization for severe stomach pain and uncontrollable nausea. Every Gastrointerology test known to man and it was the Actos Lost every tooth!	I started on 15 and it did lower blood sugar. Then Dr. increased to 30, then at 45 started my worst health year ever with non stop nausea.	M	71	2 years		5/4/2008
1	Diabetes Type II	Extreme weight gain, even though I am exercising and eating healthy, fatigue, anemia, edema of face and extremities.	After I discovered the reason why I am gaining weight and cannot lose any (Actos makes your body develop fat cells to absorb sugar from your blood so you have better numbers-just what we all need more fat cells!)I have stopped all Actos and will only continue my Metformin. I have not been able to lose weight in over a year and a half and have gained over 20 lbs in the last 4 mos. even though I should have been losing. I will wait till I get my lab results in two months before I tell my doctor because he probably will not be happy with my decision. So far my sugars are fine without the Actos so I hope I will stay that way and I will start losing weight!	F	55	2 years		5/27/2008
1	Diabetes	40lb weight gain...leg and ankle swelling...shortness of breathe...stress over all three problems	Am seeing my Dr in 2 days and will be telling him that 'I AM NOT nor WILL NOT BE TAKING ACTOS EVER AGAIN'...have been complaining about Actos for months...weight gain menace is depressing...goodbye ACTOS...bye George...(~.-)	M	66	2 years		9/6/2008 Email
1	Type 2 diabetes	WEIGHT GAIN!! 30 plus pounds in a year! Could not lose weight no matter what I tried. Spent a month on Nutri-System and gained weight. My blood sugar was always moderately high as well!	This medication should be used on people with anorexia, not Diabetes. I have since changed to Glucophage!	M	50	1.5 years		10/16/2006
1	Type 2 diabetes	Swelling in the legs , flaaaatulance big time.Gained 30 pounds and stomach feels bloated after every meal no mater what I eat.My a-1c is in the 7,s after a little over a year, was 9,s.My appetite has increased by double.	I may stop taking this drug. I dont understand my pcp says that my lower a1c is good but I really need to lose the weight. I also take 1000mg of metformen daily along with 30mg actos.One thing is for sure my wife would like me better without the actogas!!!	M	43	1.5 years		3/2/2007
4	A1C 8.0, Type II	None so far	Controls my sugar very well. To start, my A1C was 8.0, Cholestrol 325 and liver values slightly out of range as well. After starting Actos for a year, in combination with Lipitor (20mg) my A1C went down to 6.0, and my Liver values came back into normal ranges (ALT & AST) You can't beat that !!!! Initially some muscle pain, but that went away, as excerize and diet helped eliminate muscle issues. Weight went down as well from 337 lbs to 285 lbs. Dr says if I keep this up, I may come off the Actos in another year. This is a great drug to help manage your sugar, then you get off of it once you cure the basic cause (Over-weight). It does a great job of helping to manage your Type II as long as you make an effort to control your appetite, excerize, and do what it takes to get off the drug after a period of time.	M	58	1 years 15mg 1X D		3/13/2010
4	Lyme Disease	9 lb weight gain, on 30mg.	My doctor prescribed Actose to help with flaring up I was having in my Lyme Disease (it's an off-label indication). Initially it was GREAT and really helped; it actually increased my quality of life substantially. I had no side effects for 10 months, but then in the past 3 months, I've gained 9 lbs. I've always had a stable weight and exercise regularly, eat healthily, etc. It's been confusing. My dr. suggested I try going off, it's been 3 days only. I'm working really hard at the gym. I hope I can get the weight off. I just don't feel as comfortable in my body. Hopefully my flaring up won't get worse again being off the medication. Thanks!	F	30	1 years		12/7/2007
3	diatetes 2	Extreme weight gain (65 lbs in one year!) and, recently, leg and ankle congestion and swelling. Also, a big increase in urinary frequency, at night only. I don't know if this last is related.	It works great when nothing else did but the side effects are pretty awful.	F	60	1 years		11/8/2005
3	Type II Diabetes	Rapid weight gain even with strict dietary control, edema problems, constantly fatigued.	Actual glucose control with Actos has been very good, but the side effects of this drug are a pain in the butt. Can't handle the gut problems of metformin, am allergic to the sulfonylureas, so my choices of oral meds are very limited.	M	53	1 years		8/22/2005
2	control sugar	Very bad muscle, hip and joint pain.Swelling knees, hands,legs and ankels.I do not advised anyone to take Actos.I am 43, but I feel like I am 83, my doctor's appointment is in two days, and I can't wait to try some thing else!!!!!		F	43	1 years		3/6/2008
1	diabetes 2	excessive weight gain...50 lbs in 1 yr.	what more is there to say? after a gain of 50 lbs?	F	63	1 years		12/16/2007
1	type II	steady weight gain of about 20 lbs over 9 months	I even started going to the gym & got up to a 14 minute mile!! Unable to lose any weight with excercise or diet. sugars seem to be the same regardless of meds.	F	46	1 years		11/13/2007
1	Doctor prescribed	Extreme swelling in stomach, ankles, and legs. So puffy around my knees that I can no longer see where my knee stops and my leg starts. Extreme swelling due to increase in fat cells as per Actos. I can no longer continue using this medication. Legs look like huge tree trunks.	Dangerous swelling of ankles, feet, and legs; stomach is huge also.	F	57	1 years		3/21/2009 Email
1	Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)	Massive weight gain, nausea, headaches, unhappiness	Being diagnosed with an unheard of disease like PCOD shocked me. The doc told me the side-effects of the disease would be infertility, weight gain, and insulin/sugar problems. My doc then put me on Metformin. After experiencing immediate side-effects of severe light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and aches, my doc decided to switch me to a "less harsh" drug: Actos. After the initial side-effects, I started to feel okay. I had, however, gained 40-50 lbs. in a span of 8 months. Trainers say that I'm on the verge of being severely overweight. Before being diagnosed, I had a fairly stable weight at about 130...I look back in pictures and compared to now, I felt pretty darn skinny back then. It hurts because people see me in my present state and they don't understand that this is me at all. This isn't normal. I exercise regularly and eat healthy, with no avail still. A couple weeks ago, I began having waves of nausea out of nowhere. My last appt. I talked to my doc about the weigh	F	18	1 years		3/27/2008
1	Diabetes Type II	I have severe muscle cramps in my legs and have gained over 25 pounds since I have been taking this drug.		F	64	1 years		7/18/2009 Email
1	Diabetes Type II	Severe edema in feet, ankles, and legs. My legs often feel they may	I'm going to discuss discontinuing this drug with my doctor.		42	1 years		7/19/2005
1	Type 2 Diabetis	Severe weight gain, unable to lose any weight after diet and excersize. Depressed, dry cough, dizziness, bloating, left ankle swelling at night.	Was on this drug for about a year. Helped for a little while but with all the adverse side effects I just couldn't take it anymore. Would not recommend anyone take this drug.	F	52	1 years		9/12/2007
1	Type II Diabetes	Weight gain of about 40-50 pounds in the last year, constantly hungry, feet and ankle pain/swelling, gum bleeding/tenderness (it about kills me to have my teeth cleaned!), migraines and heart flutters with racing at times.	I changed to Actos because Metformin gave me diarrhea but at this point, I'd rather have that. I need to lose weight and all I've done is gain, without really changing my eating habits. Forget about exercising because I'm too tired now. I thought it was just me until I read some of the feedback on this website. I know I'm not crazy now.	F	45	1 years		7/17/2007 Email
3	Type II	taking actos has lowered my bs but i have experienced sudden weight gain ... over 50 lbs in 2 yrs and that is with cutting back, severe pain in feet, knees and hips, edema especially feet and legs	after reading the comments today, I'm calling my Dr to discuss removing Actos from my treatment plan	F	41	30 months		2/6/2008
1	Type 2 Diabetes	Enormous weight gain (at least 50 lbs.), extreme fatigue, extensive swelling in ankles and feet to the point that my skin is cracking and I can only wear one pair of shoes.	I described these side effects to two internists who dismissed them without investigation. One prescribed a diuretic, which didn't help at all. One week ago my doctor finally told me to discontinue Actos; I'm seriously hoping the excess weight will come off now and the fatigue and swelling will be relieved. This drug should be off the market.	F	59	20 months 45 MG 1X D		4/18/2010 Email
2	Type 2 Diabetic	Significant, fast weight gain (40 lbs), edema in ankles/feet, constant backache, bloat in stomach, loss of energy, loss of muscle tone, increased carb cravings. Didn't start to feel these side effects until after being on actos 45mg about 9 mths, probably because I'm also on metformin, metoprolol, lisinopril & hctz and was introduced to those drugs at about the same time and was dealing with the side effects from those as well (I was diagnosed in 11/06 as diabetic and hypertensive). I 'adjusted' to the other drugs after 6 mths and have not felt too many side effects from them in the last year but started feeling more of the actos side effects by winter 2007.	My understanding of how actos works is that it helps your stem cells to make more fat cells to 'soak' up the extra glucose floating around in your blood after you have eaten-this helps to keeps your blood glucose (BG) levels within acceptable limits when you test your BG with a monitor. Now, this is just MY opinion, not a medical fact, but because you have those extra fat cells floating around in your body, you also get increased appetite (the carb cravings), thus a vicious cycle emerges...you crave more food, then actos responds by making more fat cells to soak up the extra glucose from the extra food, thus producing even more craving for food, etc, etc, etc. You see my point...the other problem is that since actos is 'tying' up all of your stem cells' time into making more fat cells, the stem cells don't have as much time to make more muscle cells to help keep your body toned, so you start to feel more 'flabby' over time even if you do maintain a regular exercise routine. So you a	F	47	19 months		8/9/2008
1	Type II Diabetes	accelerating weight gain	I took this along with Avandia. I dieted and dieted but could do nothing but gain. Exercise became difficult with the weight gain, and I was having heart palpitations. I gained 130 pounds, then dumped my doctor and this medication, found someone who was willing to give me insulin instead of oral meds. I've lost all the weight and more with diet & exercise, so I am positive the meds were making me gain.	F	38	18 months		1/15/2008
1	Diabetes II	Gained over 20 pounds, swelling in feet and ankles. Lethargy, confusion, sore throat, dizziness. Numbness in my legs, pain in feet, legs and lower back.	Stopped taking Actos now for about 2 weeks and it is amazing the energy I have. No aches in the feet, legs or back. Remarkable the way I feel after stopping that medication in just a short period of time. I took it for 18 months. It makes you wonder what the doctors are prescribing, not to mention the fact that my sugar levels were no different than before I took it.	F	55	18 months		8/11/2009
1	Type II	A huge weight gain of 96 pounds that has turned me into an obese woman. I look ten years older.	I now have huge thighs and butt. I started actos 15 MG and my doctor quickly moved me on to 30 MG. I can't lose the weight even though I have been off of actos for almost a year now. It did bring down my blood sugar but made me fat in doing so.	F	53	18 months 30 MG 1X D		7/6/2010 Email
1	To lower HbA1C	Weight gain - at first it was a few pounds between doctor visits but the harder I dieted the more weight I gained. By the end I was on a 1000 calorie/day diet and I gained 30 pounds in 3 months! I finally wised up to this side affect. My doctor seemed unaware of the possibility and told me I was probably lying about my eating.	My HbA1C did lower to under 5. But at what cost? I was on it for 18 months and gained 90 pounds.	F	34	18 months		11/12/2006 Email

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Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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