What Is Avandia?
It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
Avandia is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called "glitazones"). It helps to improve
insulin sensitivity, meaning that it helps your body to use its natural insulin better. This helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
There have been several studies looking at the effects of Avandia for type 2 diabetes.
Avandia and Hemoglobin A1c
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a test used to measure long-term blood sugar control. For people without
diabetes, HbA1c results are usually less than 6 percent, while people with diabetes usually have higher results. In one study, people taking Avandia lowered their HbA1c by up to 0.7 percent on average, while the HbA1c in people not taking Avandia increased by 0.8 percent.
Studies have shown that the higher the HbA1c, the greater the chance for developing long-term problems related to diabetes. This includes problems such as
heart disease,
diabetic retinopathy,
diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. By getting blood sugar levels under control with Avandia, it may be possible to decrease the chances for developing these
diabetes complications.
Avandia and Fasting Blood Sugar
Fasting blood sugar is another way to study the effects of a
diabetes medication. In studies, people taking Avandia decreased their fasting blood sugar levels by 25 to 55 mg/dL, while people not taking it increased their fasting blood sugar.
Other Effects
When and How to Take Avandia
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include:
- It comes in tablet form and should be taken by mouth once or twice daily.
- You can take it with or without food. If Avandia bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- It should be taken at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
Dosing
The dosage your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- How well your diabetes is controlled
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Avandia. However, not everyone who takes Avandia will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of Avandia include:
(Click Avandia Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of this drug, including serious side effects to look out for.)
Drug Interactions With Avandia
Avandia can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Heart problems of any kind, especially congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Liver problems, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- An upcoming surgery
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Avandia and Pregnancy Risk)
- Having problems getting pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Pre-menopausal without regular menstrual periods.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
In general, type 2
diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes (for example, weight loss, exercise, and diet). If lifestyle changes are not effective at
managing diabetes, medication -- such as Avandia -- may be necessary.
The main goal of
diabetes medicine is to lower blood sugar levels enough to reduce your risk of developing problems related to diabetes, such as heart, nerve, eye, or kidney problems. Because Avandia can lower blood sugar levels, people may be able to lower their risk for developing problems related to high blood sugar.
For most people, Avandia is quite effective at controlling blood sugar. It is also generally well-tolerated. However, side effects can occur, or the medicine may not work as well as needed. In these cases, you may need to combine Avandia with another diabetes medicine, such as
metformin (
Glucophage®) or
insulin. You may also wish to consider a substitute for Avandia. These substitutes could include other thiazolidinediones or other diabetes medicines, either by themselves or in combination.
(Click Avandia Alternatives to learn more about these alternatives. To learn about controlling diabetes through lifestyle choices, click on any of the links below:
During clinical studies, doses of up to 20 mg of Avandia were given without major side effects. It is unclear what symptoms to expect if you overdose on Avandia. If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Avandia should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. The tablets should be kept in an airtight container.
Keep Avandia and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your dose as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Avandia.
Avandia tablets are available in three strengths:
- Avandia 2 mg tablets
- Avandia 4 mg tablets
- Avandia 8 mg tablets.
There is currently no generic Avandia licensed for sale.
