The inhibitive effect of Pioglitazone (PGZ) drug on mild steel corrosion in 1 N HCl solution was tested by weight loss and electrochemical methods at 303-333 K; the inhibition efficiency of PGZ obtained by all methods was in good agreement with each other. In all the experimental studies, Inhibition efficiency increases with increase in concentrations of the PGZ but decreases with rise in the temperature. Potentiodynamic Polarization measurements revealed that the inhibiting action of PGZ is under mixed control. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results established the formation of protective layer on the mild steel surface. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd.