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[Best Syndication] Two studies with ACTOS which is pioglitazone HCI is found to be beneficial and reduce the risk for heart attack by 38 percent for Type 2 Diabetes patients. In addition to helping control blood glucose levels this particular thiazolidnedione also helped improve blood lipid levels. Much concern has been with Avandia, which is a thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone for potential raising a patient’s risk of heart problems.

The two studies that show pioglitazone is safe and helpful were presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD.)

One study showed that pioglitazone showed a significant reduction for the risk of stroke or heart attack (myocardial infarction) when compared to those that did not take a thiazolidinedione drug therapy. The risk of having a stroke was also reduced by 20 percent with the pioglitazone group compared to those that did took other medications. The risk of heart attack was also 38 percent lower with the patients taking pioglitazone.

Another study reported a comparison of pioglitazone with rosiglitazone. The pioglitazone dose of 30 mg did better at improving blood glucose levels than rosiglitazone dose of 4mg. The pioglitazone also showed better improvement on blood lipid levels. The HbA1c levels were significantly lower with the pioglitazone medication than the rosiglitazone. Triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol levels were reduced and the HDL-C “good” cholesterol levels increased with the pioglitazone medication.

The researchers point out a 22 percent risk reduction for an acute myocardial infarction for type 2 diabetes patients taking pioglitazone compared to those who are taking rosiglitazone.

By Mark Barone
Best Syndication News Health Writer