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Avandia Uses
Avandia is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults who cannot lower their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes alone. The medication works by helping the body to use its natural insulin better in order to lower blood sugar levels and to help keep blood sugar under better control. Avandia uses in children as young as 10 years old have been studied, but there is not enough information yet to recommend using this drug in children.
Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications. In addition, Avandia cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes (see Avandia and Type 1 Diabetes).
In September 2010, the U.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.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. As a result, the cells do not take sugar out of the blood very well. This is why type 2 diabetics have high blood sugar.
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play an important role.
Avandia is used for treating type 2 diabetes in people who cannot lower blood sugar through lifestyle changes alone (such as weight loss, diet, and exercise). It is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called "glitazones"). Avandia helps to improve insulin sensitivity, meaning that it helps your body to use its natural insulin better. This not only lowers blood sugar, but it also helps to keep it under better control.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD