Avandia Alternatives

There are several Avandia alternatives for type 2 diabetes, including lifestyle changes, other oral diabetes medications, and insulin or other injectable diabetes medications. In many situations, lifestyle changes alone (such as weight loss) may not be effective at controlling a patient's diabetes. As a result, other medications (such as sulfonylureas) may be necessary.

 

Avandia Alternatives Explained

Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug belongs to a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones. In most cases, Avandia is effective in treating diabetes, and most people tolerate the drug well. However, as with all medicines, side effects can occur -- or the medicine may not completely control a person's diabetes. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Avandia.
 
Some of these Avandia alternatives include:
 
  • Other oral diabetes medications (see Diabetes Medication)
  • Lifestyle changes
  • Insulin and other injectable diabetes medications.
      

Oral Diabetes Medicines

Fortunately, there are many other different types of oral
 diabetes drugs available to treat type 2 diabetes, including:
 
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Biguanides
  • Meglitinides
  • Alpha glucosidase inhibitors
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
  • Combination medications.

 

Thiazolidinediones (Glitazones)

These medications work mostly by helping the body to use its natural insulin better. In addition to Avandia, there is one other glitazone currently available -- pioglitazone (Actos®).

(Avandia Alternatives Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;