Pioglitazone is a prescription drug of the class thiazolidinedione (TZD) with hypoglycemic (antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic) action. Pioglitazone is marketed as trademarks Actos in the USA, Glustin in Europe and Zactos in Mexico by the pharmaceutical company Takeda . more

Pioglitazone is a prescription drug of the class thiazolidinedione (TZD) with hypoglycemic (antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic) action. Pioglitazone is marketed as trademarks Actos in the USA, Glustin in Europe and Zactos in Mexico by the pharmaceutical company Takeda .

Pioglitazone selectively stimulates the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( PPAR-? ) and to a lesser extent PPAR-? . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] It modulates the transcription of the insulin -sensitive genes involved in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism in the lipidic, muscular tissues and in the liver. As a result, pioglitazone reduces insulin resistance in the liver and peripheral tissues; increases the expense of insulin-dependent glucose; decreases withdrawal of glucose from the liver; reduces quantity of glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin in the bloodstream. Although not clinically significant, pioglitazone decreases the level of triglycerides and increases that of high-density lipoproteins ( HDL ) without changing low-density lipoproteins ( LDL ) and total cholesterol in patients with disorders of the lipid metabolism, although statins are the drug of choice for this. less