Duetact (Glimepiride/Pioglitazone)

Duetact is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines (Glimepiride and Pioglitazone) that help control blood sugar levels.

Use Duetact as directed by your doctor.

• Take Duetact with your first meal of the day.
• Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Duetact is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes. Duetact may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

If you miss a dose of Duetact and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store Duetact at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep Duetact out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Do not use Duetact if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Duetact;

• Duetact may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Duetact with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Duetact should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 4 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Duetact while you are pregnant. It is not known if Duetact is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Duetact, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• nausea.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain or irregular heartbeat; confusion; dark urine; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; low blood sugar symptoms (eg, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, headache, lightheadedness, tremors, unusual sweating, weakness); severe or persistent blurred vision or other vision problems; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Duetact is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.