Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Actos (Pioglitazone).

Bladder: Taking Actos (Pioglitazone) may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer. If you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as age, smoking, or someone in your family has had bladder cancer you may be more likely to develop this disease. Do not use Actos (Pioglitazone) if you have or have had bladder cancer.

If you experience symptoms such as blood or red colour in your urine, an urgent need to urinate, pain while urinating, or pain in the back or lower abdomen, talk to your doctor right away.

Fractures: Actos (Pioglitazone) has been associated with an increased incidence of bone fracture for female patients. You and your doctor should consider the risk of fractures. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Heart failure: Actos (Pioglitazone) can cause fluid buildup in the body, which may lead to Congestive Heart Failure. Actos (Pioglitazone) should not be used by anyone who has any degree of heart failure, or anyone who is at risk of heart failure (including people with swelling due to fluid buildup). If you develop fluid buildup or swelling, shortness of breath, fatigue, or excessive weight gain while taking Actos (Pioglitazone), you should consult your doctor immediately.

Liver: Although liver problems have not been observed with Actos (Pioglitazone), another similar medication has caused liver problems in a small number of people. You should report any signs of liver problems (abdominal or stomach pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin) to your doctor at once.

Use with other diabetes medications: Actos (Pioglitazone) should not be used with insulin. It should not be used in combination (i.e., triple therapy) with both metformin and a sulfonylurea (e.g., glyburide, glicazide); however, it may be used with either metformin or a sulfonylurea.

Vision: Actos (Pioglitazone) may cause fluid to build up in the eye (macular edema) causing vision changes. If you experience any change to your vision, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: Actos (Pioglitazone) has not been studied for use by pregnant women. Actos (Pioglitazone) should not be used during pregnancy. In general, blood sugar should be controlled during pregnancy by using insulin injections. If you become pregnant while taking Actos (Pioglitazone), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Actos (Pioglitazone) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Actos (Pioglitazone), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Actos (Pioglitazone) have not been established for children.