Actos (Pioglitazone)
BRAND NAME: Actos
GENERIC NAME: pioglitazone
EXPERIMENTAL/INTERNAL COMPANY NAME: |
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| DRUG USE (P OR PsA) | METHOD OF DELIVERY | DEVELOPING COMPANY/COMPANIES |
| Plaque psoriasis; insulin resistance | Oral | Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India; Cairo University |
Description and Comments
Actos (pioglitazone), a drug widely used to treat diabetes, has attracted the attention of psoriasis researchers because it is able to block abnormal cell division of skin cells in psoriasis plaques. It is currently being tested in psoriasis patients alone and together with Soriatane (acetretin). In a small study, more patients saw significant improvement in psoriasis symptoms when treated with the combination of pioglitazone and acetretin than with acetretin alone. Pioglitazone has a long track record of use in diabetes and is considered very safe. Moreover, pioglitazone is an effective treatment for insulin resistance, a pre-diabetic condition that sometimes occurs along with psoriasis, and pioglitazone may help to counteract increased serum lipid levels, a possible side effect of acetretin use.
Other News and Links
Diabetes Drug May Aid Psoriasis Control
