Pioglitazone (Actos)

Pioglitazone (Actos) is a diabetes drug. It works by improving a patient’s response to the hormone insulin. It is manufactured by Takeda and Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd.

In HIV-positive patients, pioglitazone can improve the insulin resistance, high blood pressure and blood fat alterations that can occur as a side-effect of HIV treatment.1

Side-effects include upset stomach and liver toxicity.

References

  1. Gavrila A et al. Improvement in highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced metabolic syndrome by treatment with pioglitazone but not with fenofibrate: a 2 x 2 factorial, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis 40: 745-749, 2005

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