ThiazolidinedionePrescription only
Pioglitazone
Tablet
Quick Summary
Pioglitazone reduces insulin resistance.
Type 2 diabetes
Fatty liver
Medical Uses
Type 2 diabetes: With other medicines.
Fatty liver: Sometimes, under specialist advice.
How it's taken
Take once a day.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you and how long to take it.
Your doctor decides the right dose for you. Follow their instructions and the label.
Common Side Effects
Fluid retention
Swollen ankles.
Weight gain
Common.
Fractures
Higher risk in women.
Interactions
Insulin
More fluid retention.
Critical Warnings
Heart failure
Black Box Warning: Not suitable for people with heart failure.
Bladder cancer
Report blood in urine.
Sources and further reading
Last updated 21 October 2026. For more detail, see these trusted health organisations.
- Pioglitazone: drug information(opens in a new tab) · MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine