Avandia

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Avandia is the brand name for the prescription diabetes medication rosiglitazone maleate. Along with recommendations to make changes in exercise and diet, doctors prescribe Avandia to treat type 2 diabetes, sometimes in conjunction with other medications. Avandia is classified as a thiazolidinedione, a type of medications that works by heightening body's sensitivity to [[Insulin COupons|insulin.^[1] Patients take Avandia orally once or twice a day.

Although Avandia helps control type 2 diabete, it is not a cure. It can take two weeks or longer for a patient's blood sugar to decrease and two or three additional months for the patient to experience the full benefit of of the medication.^[2]

Contents 1 Avandia Overview 2 Prescription Drugs 3 Avandia Side Effects 4 Avandia Warnings and Precautions 5 References

Avandia Overview

Because of the possibility of serious adverse reactions, only those who already taking the rosiglitazone and people whose blood sugar cannot be controlled with other medications with fewer side effects such as pioglitazone or Actos should be treated with this medication. Avandia was approved by the FDA in 1999.^[4] Rosiglitazone is available in generic from from several manufacturers.^[4] Several recent studies have revealed that Avandia increases the chances of strokes and congestive heart failure.^[5]

Prescription Drugs

Avandia Side Effects

Avandia can lead to a wide range of side effects. Some of the more common include cold symptoms, sore throat, back pain and headache. More serious Avandia side effects include dizziness, difficulty seeing colors or in the dark, vision loss, vomiting, pale skin, trouble swallowing or breathing urine, swelling of the lips, face, throat or eyes; hoarseness, fever,blurred vision, itching, blisters,yellowing of the skin or eyes, hives, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite.^{[1] [2]}

Avandia Warnings and Precautions

Avandia may lead to retention of fluids, which can cause or aggravate congestive heart failure.^[1] The FDA issued an advisory in 2007 that concluded that patients experiencing any degree of poor heart pumping ability, shortness of breath, or edema should not be prescribed Avandia.^{[6] [2]} The FDA met again to discuss the problems associated with Avandia in 2010. Two more recent studies had indicated that Avandia increases the risks for strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular events leading to death.^[5] The FDA panel, while admitting they had concerns about Avandia's safety, allowed Avandia to stay on the market. ^[7]

Also See: Metformin Coupons, Metformin HCL Patient Assistance Programs, Avandia Side Effects, Diabetes Coupons, Insulin Coupons, Metformin Side Effects, Insulin and Alzheimer's

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001051/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_avandia.pdf
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001051
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Overview&DrugName=ROSIGLITAZONE%20MALEATE
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128174678
6. ↑ http://www.avandia.com/why-choose-avandia/diabetes-prescription.html
7. ↑ http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100714-712728.html