metformin vs metformin/pioglitazone

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Side-by-side comparison of metformin and metformin/pioglitazone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

( 7.3 ) Drugs that reduce metformin clearance (such as ranolazine, vandetanib, dolutegravir, and cimetidine), may increase the accumulation of metformin. Therefore, the maximum recommended dosage of ACTOPLUS MET is 15 mg of pioglitazone and 850 mg of metformin HCl once daily if used in combination with gemfibrozil or other strong CYP2C8 inhibitors [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Therefore, if an inducer of CYP2C8 is started or stopped during treatment with ACTOPLUS MET, changes in diabetes treatment may be needed based on clinical response without...

Drug Class
metformin Biguanide
metformin/pioglitazone Biguanide / TZD Combination
Type
metformin Prescription
metformin/pioglitazone Prescription
Summary
metformin

No summary available.

metformin/pioglitazone

Actoplus Met is a drug that combines two medicines to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should be used with diet and exercise.

What It Treats
metformin

Information not available.

metformin/pioglitazone

Actoplus Met helps lower blood sugar in adults who have type 2 diabetes. You should also follow a diet and exercise plan while taking this medicine. Actoplus Met is not for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

How It Works
metformin

Information not available.

metformin/pioglitazone

Actoplus Met contains pioglitazone and metformin. Pioglitazone makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Metformin reduces the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood.

Common Side Effects
metformin
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (like a cold)
  • Headache
metformin/pioglitazone
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Swelling
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Weight gain
FAERS Reports
metformin
  • Nausea 21,946
  • Diarrhoea 21,884
  • Blood Glucose Increased 18,328
  • Fatigue 17,252
  • Acute Kidney Injury 16,440
metformin/pioglitazone
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 21,946
  • Loose or watery stools 21,887
  • High blood sugar 18,329
  • Feeling tired 17,252
  • Sudden kidney damage 16,440
Serious Warnings
metformin

No specific warnings noted.

metformin/pioglitazone

Actoplus Met can cause or worsen heart failure in some people. Watch for signs like rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, and swelling. This medicine can also cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like feeling very weak, muscle pain, trouble breathing, or stomach pain.

Pregnancy
metformin

No pregnancy information available.

metformin/pioglitazone

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Actoplus Met will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How to Read This metformin vs metformin/pioglitazone Comparison

metformin is classified in the Biguanide drug class, while metformin/pioglitazone sits within the Biguanide / TZD Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, metformin has 95,850 submissions while metformin/pioglitazone has 95,854. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking two medicines that both contain metformin can cause too much of the drug to build up in your body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for metformin or metformin/pioglitazone.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.