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What is Avandia
 Avandia
is an antihyperglycemic agent. It helps the body respond better
to insulin and it reduces the amount of sugar produced by
the liver. It can help control blood sugar levels.
Avandia
is used, along with diet and exercise, in the treatment of
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II diabetes).
Avandia may also be used with a sulfonylurea (e.g., Diabeta,
Glucotrol, Micronase, others), metformin (Glucophage), or
insulin when diet and exercise plus any one of these medicines
alone do not result in adequate blood sugar control.
Avandia
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Avandia
Usually, liver function is monitored with blood tests
at the start of treatment, every two months for the first
year of treatment, and periodically thereafter during treatment
with Avandia. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss
of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine. These symptoms
may be early signs of liver problems.
Notify your
doctor immediately if you experience an unusually rapid
increase in weight or edema (water retention), shortness
of breath, or chest pain during treatment with Avandia.
These may be early symptoms of heart problems.
Avandia
usually does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). However,
hypoglycemia may occur as a result of skipped meals, excessive
exercise, or alcohol consumption while taking Avandia. Know
the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating,
tremor, and nausea. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets
with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
What you should find out before taking Avandia Do not take Avandia without first talking to your
doctor if you have liver disease.
Before taking this
medication, tell your doctor if you
- have heart
failure or heart disease;
- have edema (water retention
or swelling);
- have type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent
diabetes);
- have a serious infection, illness, or
injury; or
- need surgery.
You may not be
able to take Avandia, or you may need a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Treatment with Avandia
may cause resumption of fertility by allowing for the return
of ovulation (production of eggs) in certain women with
insulin resistance who were not ovulating before treatment
with Avandia. Therefore, pregnancy may occur and birth control
may be a consideration.
Avandia is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether Avandia
will harm an unborn baby. Generally, insulin is the drug
of choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy. Do
not take Avandia without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether Avandia passes into breast
milk. Do not take Avandia without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The safety
and effectiveness of Avandia have not been established for
children.
How should take Avandia Take Avandia exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Avandia can be taken
with or without food or meals.
It is important to
take Avandia regularly to get the most benefit.
Your
doctor may want you to have blood or urine tests or other
medical evaluations during treatment with Avandia to monitor
blood sugar levels, liver function, or other factors.
Usually, liver function is monitored with blood tests at
the start of treatment, every two months for the first year
of treatment, and periodically thereafter during treatment
with Avandia. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unusual fatigue, loss
of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine. These symptoms
may be early signs of liver problems.
Although Avandia
does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hypoglycemia
may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise, or alcohol
consumption. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia,
which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness,
fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece
of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
Store Avandia at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
you do not remember until the next day, skip the dose you
missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Avandia overdose are not known.
Avoid while taking Avandia Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines
very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your
blood sugar levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood
sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before you undergo any surgery.
Do not take any over-the-counter
cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight-loss medications without
first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Avandia If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Avandia and seek emergency medical
attention or notify your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite;
- unusual fatigue;
- yellowing of the skin
or eyes; or
- dark urine.
Notify your doctor
immediately if you experience an unusually rapid increase
in weight or edema (swelling, water retention), shortness
of breath, or chest pain during treatment with Avandia.
These may be early symptoms of heart problems.
Although
Avandia does not usually cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
hypoglycemia may result from skipped meals, excessive exercise,
or alcohol consumption. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia,
which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness,
fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece
of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes
of low blood sugar.
Other less serious side effects
may also occur. Continue to take Avandia and talk to your
doctor if you experience:
- headache; or
-
sore throat, nasal discharge, or cold symptoms.
Side
effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Avandia
No
drugs have been reported to interact with Avandia although
interactions may exist. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
