Vexazone

Uses
Vexazone 45mg Tablets contains 45mg of the active ingredient Pioglitazone Hydrochloride. Pioglitazone is classified as a thiazolidinedione. It can aid with the treatment of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes) by lowering the blood sugar by increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin.

Dosage and Administration
Vexazone 45mg is the highest dosage of pioglitazone available. Vexazone 15mg and Vexazone 30mg are also available.

Your doctor will prescribe you a daily dosage between 15mg and 45mg. Take only this dosage unless advised to change by your doctor.

Take each tablet at the same time each day and swallow it whole with a glass of water.

Diet and exercise are important factors in controlling diabetes and should be included in your treatment plan whenever possible.

Side effects
Vexazone can result in some side effects when taken by some people.

Common side effects:

• hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) - usually when Vexazone is taken with a sulfonylurea or insulin
• shortness of breath when resting or after minimal physical activity
• swelling of the legs, feet and hands
• gradual increased weight
• localised swelling of the ankles, feet and hands (oedema) and/or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema) which may indicate heart failure - usually when taking Vexazone with insulin
• increased risk of fracture in women
• macular oedema
• altered or impaired liver function.

These serious side effects may require you to stop taking Pioglitazone. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice:

• dark urine or pale stools
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• severe cramps of the stomach
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of weight
• tiredness
• blood in the urine
• pain and burning sensation when urinating

Precautions
Do not take Vexazone if you are allergic to pioglitazone hydrochloride. Do not take Vexazone if you are allergic to any of the following excipients:

• lactose
• hypromellose
• colloidal anhydrous silica
• croscarmellose sodium
• polysorbate 80
• magnesium stearate

To make sure Vexazone is suitable for you, your doctor will need to know more about you including:

• if you have any current medical conditions, as well as your past medical history
• if you are taking any medicines (this includes prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, herbal remedies or nutritional supplements)
• if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Pioglitazone can interfere with some other medicines. Some medicines can prevent Pioglitazone from working as intended. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• chlorpropamide
• glibenclamide
• gliclazide
• insulin
• metformin
• oral contraceptives
• gemfibrozil
• rifampicin
• tolbutamide

Vexazone reduces blood glucose levels. As a result you may feel like you have less energy than usual and can experience tiredness or drowsiness. You need to be aware of this if you plan to drive or operate machinery while taking Pioglitazone.