Avandia Side Effects

Avandia Side Effects, Information and Avandia Tidbits

What is Avandia?

Avandia, or rosiglitazone, is an anti-diabetic drug from the thiazolidinedione class. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline - sales peaked in 2006 with over $2.5 billion in sales. Reports of late have suggested Avandia is associated with increased risk of heart attacks. Other reports have disagreed. These concerns have reduced the used of the drug even with it's effective use in glycemic control.

Avandia works by controlling blood sugar levels in the body and making cells more sensitive to insulin. Avandia is used for type-2 diabetes.

Potential for Abuse?

No information available.

Avandia Side Effects

Serious Avandia side effects:

• swelling or rapid weight gain
• shortness of breath
• chest pain, pain spreading to arm or shoulder
• sweating, generally ill feeling
• jaundice
• nausea, low fever, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, clay colored stool
• blurred vision
• pale skin, easy bruising, weakness
• increased hunger or thirst, urinating more than usual
  

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects, or have an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat or difficulty breathing.

Less serious Avandia side effects:

• sneezing, runny nose or other cold symptoms
• headache
• mild diarrhea
• back pain
• gradual weight gain
  

This is not a complete list of Avandia side effects. Consult your doctor for a full list.

Interesting Avandia Tidbits

Some interesting facts about Avandia:

• Sales in the second quarter of 2007 were down 22% compared to 2006.
• Fourth quarter 2007 sales were down $252 million.
• 3-4 hour half-life
  

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