Drug Name

Avandia (Rosiglitazone)

Drug Uses

Avandia is an anti-diabetic drug (thiazolidinedione-type, as well as called "glitazones") used with a proper diet as well as exercise program to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Avandia works by helping to restore your body's proper response to insulin, thereby lowering your blood sugar. Effectively controlling high blood sugar helps halt heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, as well as circulation problems, as well as sexual function problems (impotence). Avandia is used either alone or in combination with other anti-diabetic medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin).

How Taken

Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once or twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your health examination condition, response to therapy, as well as incase you are using other anti-diabetic drugs. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the alike time(s) each day. Monitor blood glucose levels on a normal basis. It may take up to 2 to 3 months before the filled benefit of this drug takes effect. Take all other medications for diabetes as directed by your doctor.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Avandia is an oral drug that reduces the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes as well as is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs called thiazolidinediones. The other member of this class is pioglitazone (Actos). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is substantial for controlling the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin stimulates the cells of the body to remove glucose from the blood as well as thereby lowers the level of glucose in the blood. Patients with type II diabetes cannot make enough insulin. As a result, the cells in their bodies do not remove enough glucose from the blood, as well as the level of glucose rises. Avandia often is referred to as an "insulin sensitizer" because it attaches to the insulin receptors on cells throughout the body as well as causes the cells to become more sensitive (more responsive) to insulin as well as remove more glucose from the blood. At least some insulin must be produced by the pancreas in order for Avandia to work).

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light as well as moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using Avandia, tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you are allergic to it; or to other "glitazones" such as pioglitazone, troglitazone; or incase you possess any other allergies. This medication should not be used incase you possess confident health examination conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist incase you have: type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes), very high blood glucose (diabetic ketoacidosis), newly diagnosed or worsening heart failure (acute congestive heart failure), active liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., chronic congestive heart failure), liver problems, fluid in your lungs, swelling (edema), anemia, high blood cholesterol. You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely abridged or high blood sugar levels; take caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcohol while using this medication because it can increase the risk of your blood sugar getting too abridged (hypoglycemia). During times of stress, such as fever, infection, injury or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor, as additional medication may be required. This medication can cause changes in the menstrual cycle (ovulation) in women with confident fertility problems. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the take of reliable birth control while using this medication. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. Your doctor may substitute insulin for this drug during your pregnancy. Follow all instructions carefully. It is unknown incase this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: swelling, unexplained rapid weight gain, trouble breathing, unusual fatigue, fast/pounding heartbeat, changes in menstrual cycles. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these highly unlikely but very humorless side effects occur: not light urine, yellowing of eyes/skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain. This medication usually does not cause abridged blood sugar (hypoglycemia), but this effect may occur incase you do not consume enough calories (from food, juices, fruit, etc.). The symptoms include chills, chilly sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, rapid heart rate, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling of the hands or feet, or hunger. It is a pleasant habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat abridged blood sugar. Incase you are in a situation where you don't possess these reliable forms of glucose, eat a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink a glass of orange juice or non-diet soda to quickly raiseyour blood sugar level. Tell your doctor immediately about the reaction. To help halt hypoglycemia, eat meals on a normal schedule as well as do not skip meals. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. Incase these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your medication dosage may need to be increased. A humorless allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of a humorless allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Do not share this medication with others. It is recommended you attend a diabetes education program to understand diabetes as well as all the substantial aspects of its treatment including meals/diet, exercise, personal hygiene, medications as well as getting normal eye, foot as well as health examination exams. Keep all health examination appointments. Laboratory and/or health examination tests (e.g., liver as well as kidney function tests, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total blood counts, blood cholesterol levels) will be performed to monitor for side effects as well as response to therapy. Regularly check your blood or urine for sugar, as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.