Pioglitazone hydrochloride (ACTOS®) is a member of a class of oral antidiabetic agents known as thiazolidinediones, which act by reducing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a key feature of dysmetabolic syndrome and has been suggested to be the common pathophysiologic basis of both atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. Pioglitazone binds to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, an effect that is associated with altered transcription of genes capable of influencing carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.