What is "pioglitazone"

n. (context medicine English) A thiazolidinedione drug that has hypoglycemic action

Pioglitazone (brand name Actos) is a prescription drug of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class with hypoglycemic (antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic) action to treat diabetes. While pioglitazone does decrease blood sugar levels, studies on the main cardiovascular outcomes have not yielded statistically significant results.

Its cardiovascular safety profile compares favorably with that of rosiglitazone, which was withdrawn from some markets after concerns about an increased risk of cardiac events. Pioglitazone has been found to be associated with bladder tumors and has been withdrawn in some countries.

Actos was the tenth-best selling drug in the U.S. in 2008, with sales exceeding $2.4 billion.