Actos and Cytoxan

• Generic Name: pioglitazone
• Dosage Forms: tablet
• Other Brand Names: Actos

Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.

Actos is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Actos is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

• Generic Name: cyclophosphamide
• Dosage Forms: injection, powder, for solution; tablets
• Other Brand Names: Cytoxan, Neosar, Cytoxan Lyophilized

Cyclophosphamide is used to treat cancer of the ovaries, breast, blood and lymph system, and nerves (mainly in children). Cyclophosphamide is also used for retinoblastoma (a type of eye cancer mainly in children), multiple myeloma (cancer in the bone marrow), and mycosis fungoides (tumors on the skin). It belongs to the group of cancer medicines called alkylating agents.

Cyclophosphamide is also used for some kinds of kidney disease.

Cyclophosphamide interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by cyclophosphamide, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with cyclophosphamide, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks of using it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.