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Avandia |
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What is Avandia and why is it prescribed? Avandia is used to hold down blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the buildup of sugar in the blood is often due not to a lack of insulin, but to the body's inability to make proper use of it. Avandia works first by decreasing sugar production, then by helping the body make more efficient use of whatever insulin is available. It does not increase the actual amount of insulin in circulation. Avandia is a new type of diabetes medication. It can be used alone or in conjunction with metformin (Glucophage) or a member of the sulfonylurea class of diabetes drugs (Diabinese, Micronase, Orinase). It takes effect slowly. You may not see a reduction in blood sugar levels for the first 2 weeks of therapy, and it may take 2 to 3 months for the medication to deliver maximum results. Always remember that Avandia is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet, weight loss, and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications, such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Avandia is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin. How should you take Avandia? Follow your doctors directions for taking Avandia. Your dose of Avandia may be taken once a day in the morning or divided in half and taken in the morning and evening, with or without food. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Avandia at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container. Are there any Avandia side effects? Avandia side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Avandia side effects may include back pain, fatigue, headache, high blood sugar, respiratory tract infections, sinus inflammation, and swelling. Less common Avandia side effects may include anemia and diarrhea. Rare Avandia side effects may include congestive heart failure and low blood sugar. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Avandia? If Avandia is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. No drug interactions with Avandia have been reported at this time. Are there any special warnings about Avandia? If you have liver disease, you should not take Avandia. Your doctor will check to make sure your liver function is normal before prescribing Avandia, then recheck it every 2 months for the first 12 months and periodically thereafter. Warning signs of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dark urine. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. You may need to discontinue treatment with Avandia. People taking Avandia in combination with other diabetes drugs sometimes develop low blood sugar. If this happens, check with your doctor. People with kidney problems can take Avandia, but should not take Glucophage. If you have poor kidney function, you'll be unable to take advantage of this combination. Avandia can increase the chances of conception. Be sure to use some form of birth control if you don't want a pregnancy. Avandia won't help type 1 diabetics, who are unable to produce any insulin at all. Insulin shots are a necessity for this form of the illness. Nor can Avandia relieve diabetic ketoacidosis. Use Avandia with caution if you have a problem with fluid retention or swelling. The drug has been known to cause this problem, which in turn can lead to heart failure. Avandia should be avoided by anyone who has been diagnosed with heart failure, and it should be discontinued by anyone who develops it. Make sure the doctor is aware of any heart problems you may have. Alert him immediately if you develop symptoms of heart failure such as fatigue and shortness of breath. You should be aware that people taking Avandia tend to gain a little weight, typically around 5 to 10 pounds. The cause is thought to be a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation. Avandia is not recommended for children under 18. |
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