Avandia (Rosiglitazone) Treatment and Use
Avandia (Rosiglitazone)
Avandia (rosiglitazone) is used along with a diet and exercise program (and sometimes with one or more other medications) to treat type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood. Avandia helps control type 2 diabetes, but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks for your blood sugar to decrease and 2-3 months or longer the drug to reach its full effect.
What are the risks?
Along with the common side effects associated with most drugs (headache, cold symptoms, sore throat and back pain), Avandia may cause fluid that may lead to or worsen congestive heart failure. According to the National US Library of Medicine, the following are symptoms of congestive heart failure:
- Large weight gain in a short period of time
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
- Swelling or pain in the stomach
- Waking up short of breath during the night
- The need to sleep with extra pillows in order to breathe while lying down
- Frequent dry cough
- Increased tiredness
Taking Avandia may also increase the risk that you will experience a heart attack, especially if you take insulin along with Avandia. Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience any of the following while taking Avandia:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the jaw, arm, back, neck or stomach
- Pain in the center of the chest that lasts for a more than a few minutes or that goes away and returns
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing in the chest
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lightheadedness
I’ve taken Avandia; what can I do?
The FDA has subjected Avandia to stringent governmental restrictions; a program has been set up to limit the use of Avandia and to inform people about the increased the risk of heart attack while taking this medication. The drug is also required to be purchased by mail order through specified pharmacies. Only people are already taking Avandia and people whose blood sugar cannot be controlled by other medications should continue use of Avandia. If you are currently taking Avandia and have questions or concerns about the possible effects of the drug, speak to your healthcare provider. If you have taken Avandia and experienced any ill effects, fill out the contact form to the right and report your experience to our seasoned bad drug lawyers.
