I have used Pioglit Tab for my sugar control . Now that is banned in India . What is the alternate medicine for that ?

[ramadoss4]

[Hidden]

But this ban has been lifted about 2 months back! Anywaqy, check with your doctor.

[vkrao]

I A ALSO USING PIOGLIT TILL IT IS BANNED. NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TABS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE MEDICAL SHOPS.

I AM CONFUSED. WHY IT IS BANNED AND THEN WHY IT IS LIFTED? I SMELL SOME THING FISHY. BETTER NOT TO USED PIOGLIT TILL A CLARIFICATION IS GIVEN

[raajnaidu]

Alibaba.com

MUMBAI, AUGUST 1:

Diabetes drug pioglitazone and all its combinations are back.

The Health Ministry has revoked its earlier suspension on the diabetes drug, and has allowed the manufacture and prescription of pioglitazone and its formulations, but with several riders - including a box warning in “bold red letters” to caution patients.

The move comes a little over a month after the Health Ministry had initially suspended the sale and distribution of the drug for its links to urinary bladder cancer.

The suspension had caught doctors, patients and drug companies by surprise, following which there were hi-decibel protests and submissions to the Ministry. Doctors said that the drug was best suited for Indian patients.

Lacing its notification with much caution, the Health Ministry said that it was aware that the drug was risky and safer alternatives were available. Nevertheless, it proceeds to say that the Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended the revocation of the suspension of pioglitazone, with certain conditions including that the manufacturers carry warnings on the packing, product insert and promotional literature.

The drug should not be used as a first line of therapy to treat diabetes. It would carry the warning in bold red letters and also would carry advice for healthcare professionals, the notification said.

Further, it added, that the drug not be given to patients with a history of bladder cancer, be restricted to the elderly and prescribed after knowing the patients history. Those prescribed with the drug would also be put through 6 monthly reviews, the notification added.

Pioglitazone is a Rs 700-crore plus market in India, and several companies including USV, Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy make the medicine.

The drug is banned in France, restricted to existing prescriptions in Germany and sold with patient and doctors warnings in the US and the EU.

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(This article was published on August 1, 2013)

Keywords: Diabetes drug pioglitazone, Health Ministry, Pioglitazone ban, urinary bladder cancer.

View Comments (8)

[raksha1961 in reply to raajnaidu]

How good is this Pioglitazone for Diabetics

[Hidden]

Some babus in the Health Ministry took a hasty decision to ban this drug as it was supposed to be linked to some kind of cancer. Abuse of any drug, for that matter, is unsafe and so is the case with Pioglitazone also. Following strong representations from the medical fraternity, the Ministry revoked the ban with certain conditions imposed on the manufacturer. But it is highly advisable to use this drug under doctor's observation only.

[rsudhakaran]

yes you should consult your physician

[banshakti]

Please go to your endocrinologist for advice.I take 500 mg of Metformin,one tab each after Breakfast,lunch and dinner instead of 15 mg of Pioglitazone alongwith 1000 mg of metformin after dinner ie now I take 500 mg extra metformin which was prescribed by my endocrinologist and I am OK.

[1941]

pioglar 10 mg is available. This is being issue to me by my dispensary.

[mvb1061]

No it is not banned now. You may continue unless you have a serious Ur bladder complications.

[thungabala]

I had been using Pioglit after night meals though the fasting sugar is control d well I put some weight so my doctor suggested to stop and now I am taking Zomelis 50 mg one tab in night and having good cocontrol( Shankar. R)

[skbhatia]

Sir,

It's advisable consult the physician for use of alopathic med. pioglizone is available in mkt in diff. Combinitions .

Don't use only pio. But on combinition with metformine & glimipride it cN be used !

[rudranil]

Pioglit was banned afew months ago, due to it's risk of developing cancer.But now the ban has been revoked.However,you may use Voglitor MD after consulting your doctor.

[Gpsharma]

This medicine is cheap and best for diabetics so commission reached from other costly meficines producers to corrupt govt .but some good persons raised voice against this lobby some how ban is taken back.

[ramadoss4 in reply to Gpsharma]

I am in Hyderabad , but no where it is availble here . If anyone from Hyderabad in the group , they can help me , by giving information , where I can get.

[mantoo]

well done India[I never liked that drug] the alternative is a nice clean drug called saxagliptin 5 mg but if there is renal impairment then use saxagliptin 2.5 mg its a DPPP4 antagonist

[Ramnaresh]

POIGLIT MF 15 is available in market. PIONORM M 15 is the substitute. You can take either one.

[everexotic]

I have been bumped off as Nitins. So there is a new avtar everexotic. Just for your information.

[everexotic]

I checked site of Wallace Pharmaceuticals of Goa. Are you referring to Lubrijoint-500? The other homeo name you gave me was for diabetes and lipid profile, which I am taking regularly and has shown results on my lipid profile.