Avandia
This page contains drug information on Avandia.
The information provided includes the following:
• what is Avandia
• the possible side effects of Avandia
• what happens if you miss a dose of Avandia
• what happens if you overdose with Avandia
• the most important information about Avandia
• how to use Avandia
• other drugs that may affect Avandia
• what to avoid while using Avandia
Generic Name: avandia (oral) (row sih GLIH ta zone)
Brand Names: Avandia
What is the most important information I should know 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 non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
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 type 2 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider 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;
• 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. Talk to your doctor about adequate forms of birth control while taking avandia if birth control is desired.
• Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or an infection, require surgery, or if you experience a serious injury. Illness or injury may cause a loss of blood sugar control and insulin (or an adjustment of a current insulin dose) may be required for a period of time.
• 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 I 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 non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
• Store avandia at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I 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 I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a avandia overdose are not known.
What should I 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.
What are the 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 non-dietetic 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 vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about avandia written for health professionals that you may read. | 
