Avandia

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.

You should be aware that people taking Avandia tend to gain a little weight, typically around 5 to 10 pounds. The cause is thought to be a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation.

Avandia is not recommended for children under 18.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Avandia

Tell the doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking. If Avandia is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Avandia with other drugs or supplements that can lower blood sugar levels.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

It's important to maintain normal blood sugar levels while pregnant, but the safety of Avandia during pregnancy remains unproven. Since insulin shots are known to be safe, your doctor may switch you from Avandia to insulin until the baby is born.

It is not known whether Avandia appears in breast milk. Because many drugs do find their way into breast milk, however, the safest bet is to avoid taking Avandia while nursing.

Recommended dosage for Avandia

ADULTS

The usual starting dose of Avandia either alone or in combination with insulin or another diabetes drug is 4 milligrams once a day or 2 milligrams twice a day. If your sugar levels remain too high after 12 weeks of treatment, the doctor may increase your dose to 8 milligrams once a day or 4 milligrams twice a day. However, the maximum recommended dose of Avandia in combination with insulin or a sulfonylurea diabetes drug is 4 milligrams per day. If you do develop low blood sugar, your insulin or sulfonylurea drug dosage will need to be decreased by your doctor.

Overdosage

Although there is no information on the potential results of Avandia overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.