Avandamet Uses

Avandamet as Part of Diabetes Treatment

The main goal of any diabetes treatment is to lower your blood sugar levels (as measured by your hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) enough to reduce your risk for developing problems related to diabetes (see Diabetes Complications).

 

Any type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes are not effective at managing diabetes, diabetes medication (such as Avandamet) may be necessary. Some diabetes drugs force the pancreas to produce more insulin (see Avandamet Alternatives). These medications are effective but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Because Avandamet does not force the pancreas to make more insulin, the risk of dangerously low blood sugar is low with Avandamet (see Avandamet and Blood Sugar).

 

In some people, Avandamet may need to be combined with other diabetes medicines. For example, if type 2 diabetes is untreated for a very long time, the pancreas may not be able to make insulin anymore. In these people, using Avandamet alone will not be effective, since the effects of Avandamet depend on the presence of insulin in the body. These people will need to take insulin along with Avandamet.

 

To learn about controlling diabetes through lifestyle choices, click on any of the eMedTV links below:

 

Avandamet Use for Diabetes in Children

Avandamet has not been adequately studied in children, and there is not enough information available to recommend the use of Avandamet in children. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using Avandamet for type 2 diabetes in children.