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Pio4.0

Pioglitazone (Actos) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

66 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Pioglitazone (Actos) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 5,238 participants.

Based on 66 studies · 19 meta-analyses · 45 RCTs · 33,658 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

By outcome

Insulin sensitivity & glucoseImproves peripheral insulin sensitivity and lowers progression to diabetes in insulin-resistant patients · Weeks to months
Mostly mechanism / observational31 studies
NASH / liver histologyRandomized trials show improved liver histology and steatohepatitis resolution in NASH/MASH · Months
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Cardiovascular & strokeIn the IRIS trial, reduced recurrent stroke and myocardial infarction in insulin-resistant non-diabetic patients after stroke/TIA · Months to years
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
Bone health
Too few graded studies2 studies

Active research area

20 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026

200520152026

1Meta-Analysis2024

Anson M, Henney AE, Zhao SS, Ibarburu GH, Lip GYH, Cuthbertson DJ · Diabetes Obes Metab (2024)

Pioglitazone (Actos) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Effect of combination pioglitazone with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on outcomes in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and real-world study from an international federated database.

Meta-analysis of trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with therapeutic interventions for metabolic syndrome.

Model-Based Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Pioglitazone and Histological Outcomes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Patients.

Pioglitazone for NAFLD Patients With Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.

The efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in psoriasis vulgaris: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Antidiabetic drugs and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review, meta-analysis and evidence map.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of pioglitazone and SGLT2 inhibitors in treating Asian patients in MASLD associated with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis.

Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone for treatment of plaque psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The Effect of Thiazolidinediones in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Efficacy and Safety of Pioglitazone Monotherapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Pioglitazone Therapy and Fractures: Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis.

Pioglitazone and bladder cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pioglitazone for prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated complications in people at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Assessing the need for pioglitazone in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of its risks and benefits from prospective trials.

Effectiveness and safety of different doses of pioglitazone in psoriasis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Pioglitazone Therapy Decreases Bone Mass Density and Increases Fat Mass: A Meta-Analysis.

Pioglitazone for the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Patients with or at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis.

Effects of Pioglitazone On Lipoprotein(a): A Meta-analysis.

A systematic review of observational studies of the association between pioglitazone use and bladder cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Alogliptin-Pioglitazone Combination for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Poorly Controlled with Metformin: A Multicenter, Double-Blind Randomized Trial.