Avandia

Why should Avandia not be prescribed?

Do not take Avandia if it has ever given you an allergic reaction.

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 insulin or other diabetes drugs sometimes develop low blood sugar. If this happens, check with your doctor. The dosage of the other diabetes drug may have to be reduced.

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 (excessively high sugar levels due to lack of insulin).

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 or other heart problems. 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.

If you are being treated with Avandia and insulin you will need to be monitored for heart problems. Notify your doctor if you develop any unusual swelling or a rapid weight increase.