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Drug Information
What is Avandia used for?
This medicine is used alone or in combination with other medications to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
When should Avandia not be taken?
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any component present in this medicine if you have impaired kidney functions if you have insulin dependent diabetes and take insulin
What precautions should I follow when taking Avandia?
Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine if you are taking blood thinners if you have stomach problems if you have peptic ulcers if you have any other medical condition like liver or kidney function impairment or heart problem
What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Avandia?
Do not take this medicine if you have liver or kidney disease. People taking this medicine in combination with 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.
What are the side effects of Avandia?
Most severe: Swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Most common: Back pain, fatigue, headache, high blood sugar, low blood sugar, respiratory tract infections, sinus inflammation, swelling, anemia (low blood cell count), diarrhea
Other: Congestive heart failure
How should I take Avandia?
How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine. Use this 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. Also use caution if you're at risk for heart failure. Call the doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of heart failure such as a sudden weight change, fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling of the ankles or legs. Before you start therapy with this medicine, and at least once a year thereafter, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function. If you develop kidney problems while on this medicine, your doctor will discontinue this medication. If you are an older person, you will need to have your kidney function monitored more frequently, and your doctor may want to start you at a lower dosage. Poor liver function could increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Therefore, your doctor will check to make sure your liver function is normal before prescribing this medicine, 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, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. You may need to discontinue treatment with this medicine. Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your health care provider. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.
How should Avandia be stored?
Store at room temperature in a cool dry place, protect from heat and light. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.
General Information:
If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your Health care provider, pharmacist, or health care provider. This medicine is only to be used by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not give it to others. This information is advisory only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask your Health care provider, pharmacist, or health care provider.
