The medicine that help us: Actos. Actos: uses Actos is an anti-diabetic drug ( thiazolidinedione-type, also called " glitazones " ) used along with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes ( non-insulin-dependent diabetes ) . It works by helping to restore your body's proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Effectively controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and circulation problems, as well as sexual function problems ( impotence ) .
Actos is used either alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic medications ( e. g. , metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin ) . Actos: how to use Take Actos by mouth, with or without food, usually once daily, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and if you're taking other anti-diabetic drugs.
Use Actos regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at same time ( s ) each day. Monitor blood glucose levels on a regular basis.
It may take up to 2 to 3 months before full benefit of Actos takes effect.
Take all other medications for diabetes as directed by your doctor. Actos: side effects See also Warning section.
Sore throat, muscle pain, or tooth problems may occur while use Actos. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Actos because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Actos don't have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur:
Actos usually doesn't cause low blood sugar ( hypoglycemia ) , but this effect may occur while use Actos if we don't consume enough calories ( from food, juices, fruit, etc. ) . The symptoms include chills, cold sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, rapid heart rate, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling of hands or feet, or hunger. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you are in a situation where we do not have these reliable forms of glucose, eat a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink a glass of orange juice or non-diet soda to quickly raise your blood sugar level. Tell your doctor immediately about the reaction. To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat meals on a regular schedule and don't skip meals.
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 immediately. Your medication dosage may need to be increased.
A serious allergic reaction to Actos is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Actos: precautions Before taking Actos, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; if we are allergic to other " glitazones " ( e. g. , rosiglitazone ) ; or if you have any other allergies.
Actos shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:
Before using Actos, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar levels; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcohol while taking Actos because it can increase risk of developing hypoglycemia.
During times of stress, such as fever, infection, injury or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor, as a change in your medication may be required.
Actos may increase risk of bone fracture ( e. g. , upper arm, hand, foot, ankle ) in female patients. To lower chance of getting injured, use caution when doing activities such as contact sports.
Actos can cause changes in menstrual cycle ( ovulation ) in women with certain fertility problems. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the use of reliable birth control while taking this medication.
Actos should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor. Your doctor may substitute insulin for Actos during your pregnancy. Follow all instructions carefully.
It's not known whether Actos passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using Actos is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Actos: interactions Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for it. Don't start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Actos, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:
Actos may decrease effectiveness of birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. We may need to use an additional form of reliable birth control while using Actos. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Beta-blocker medications ( e. g. , metoprolol, propranolol, glaucoma eye drops such as timolol ) may prevent fast/pounding heartbeat we would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low ( hypoglycemia ) . Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as dizziness, hunger, or sweating are unaffected by these drugs.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Actos, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist. Actos: overdose If overdose of Actos is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Actos: notes Don't share Actos with others.
It's recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes and all important aspects of its treatment including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications and getting regular eye, foot and 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 we need to take calcium/vitamin D supplements and discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Keep all medical appointments. Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, complete blood counts, CPK levels ) will be performed to monitor for side effects and response to therapy. Regularly check your blood or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Actos: missed dose If you miss a dose Actos, use it as soon as you remember. If it's near the time of next dose, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double dose of Actos to catch up. Actos: storage Store at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Don't store Actos in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard Actos when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Actos: warning Actos may infrequently cause or worsen a certain heart problem ( congestive heart failure ) . Tell your doctor immediately if we notice any symptoms of heart failure, including: swelling of hands/feet, unusual/sudden weight gain, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness.
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McCain Says His Policies Will Help Women
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain ( Ariz. ) on Friday in Wisconsin told a primarily female audience that his plans to reduce income, business and estate taxes would help women in U. S. because many own or work for small businesses, the AP/Bergen Record reports. He also said that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's ( Ill. ) tax proposals would create new economic obstacles for women.
According to the AP/Record , many Republicans believe McCain has a chance to pick up Democratic and Independent female voters who are disappointed or angry that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ( D-N. Y. ) lost in the primary elections; however, event in Hudson seemed " geared to hardcore conservatives. " McCain said that Obama on Thursday in New York " went on at great length about how much he cares about women's issues " and that he believes Obama. He added, " But when we cut through all the smooth rhetoric, Sen. Obama's policies would make it harder for women to start new businesses, harder for women to create or find new jobs, harder for women to manage family budget and harder for women and their families to meet their tax burden. "
Obama's campaign disputed the claims and noted that McCain opposed a Senate measure to increase time that workers have to file pay discrimination lawsuits, which is a priority for some women's groups. McCain told audience that he has a record of supporting equal pay for women. He later told reporters that he opposed Senate measure because he didn't want " open-ended litigation by trial lawyers. " He added that he has demonstrated his support for equal pay " in a whole broad variety of ways, from support of women in military to all kinds of laws that provide employment " to women. He also commented on his willingness to upset fellow Senate Republicans by working with liberal Democrats, such as Sens. Russ Feingold ( Wisc. ) and Edward Kennedy ( Mass. ) ( Babington, AP/Bergen Record , 7/12 ) .
Wisconsin Antiabortion Group Backs McCain
In related news, antiabortion group Wisconsin Right to Life has backed McCain about one year after organization and the senator " clashed " over McCain's campaign finance law, AP/Google. com reports. " McCain supports our position on the issues, and that's what matters now, " Dan Pilon, the president of WRTL's board of directors, said, adding, " I've learned that once we have a fight, it's over and done and we forget about it. You don't go around holding grudges. " The group's political action committee endorsed McCain in April.
Some political analysts say that the group, which has been credited with driving the Wisconsin Republican party to right by helping candidates who oppose abortion rights win primary elections, could help convince conservatives who are uncomfortable with McCain to vote for him. " If they're behind him, the party is likely to be able to mobilize its core supporters behind McCain, " Charles Franklin, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist, said.
For this year's general presidential election, WRTL efforts to promote McCain should be more widespread than their efforts to promote President Bush in 2004, Barbara Lyons, group's executive director, said. Employees and volunteers plan to contact 500, 000 households in state that group has identified as sympathetic to antiabortion cause, using mailing, Internet advocacy and telephone calls.
WRTL in 2004 filed a lawsuit against 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, which the group claimed restricted free speech. The law banned corporations and unions from paying for advertisements that mentioned a candidate within 60 days of an election and 30 days of a primary. The group filed suit after it was prohibited from running ads calling on voters to urge Wisconsin's two senators not to filibuster Bush's judicial nominees. The ads were banned because Feingold was up for re-election.
The Supreme Court in 2007 ruled in favor of WRTL, and court's decision " opened a door for interest groups to become an influential voice in closing days of an election, " according to the AP/Google. com.
Although Lyons said she was not pleased with the court fight over campaign finance law, it was an easy decision to endorse McCain, who has a 25-year record of voting against abortion rights. " Obviously, we were very concerned about our free speech rights and we went to court to protect them, " she said, adding, " But in terms of endorsement, what we had to look at is, what's record of McCain in comparison to Obama? The difference is incredibly stark " ( Foley, AP/Google. com, 7/11 ) . Reprinted with kind permission from http: //www. nationalpartnership. org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
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