S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would be severely restricting the use of Avandia, due to the risk of "cardiovascular events" such as heart attacks and strokes. Only individuals who cannot control their diabetes on other medications (or those who are already taking the medication and doing well) will be able to take Avandia.
If you have type 2 diabetes, Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) may help to lower your blood sugar. Avandia is a prescription medication that can be used by itself or in combination with other medications to treat type 2 diabetes.
Studies have shown that by getting blood sugar levels under control with Avandia, it may be possible to decrease the chances for developing diabetes complications, such as heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. This prescription medication has also been shown to decrease fasting blood sugar levels by 25 to 55 mg/dL.
As part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called "glitazones"), Avandia works by improving insulin sensitivity. This means that this medication helps your body use its natural insulin better, which, in turn, helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
(Click Avandia for a complete overview of using Avandia to lower blood sugar levels. This article also discusses the effectiveness of this medication, possible side effects, and what to tell your healthcare provider before beginning treatment.)
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