Proper Steps To Maintain When Using Avandia For Type 2 Diabetes

Avandia is a medication used by individuals with type 2 diabetes to help control blood glucose levels by making their bodies more sensitive to insulin. It can lower blood glucose levels by 1 to 1.5 percent, and doses range from 2 to 8 mg tablets once or twice daily without food. However, Avandia should be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare provider or physician due to the increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and should not be used by those with type 1 diabetes.

A recently released study in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), written by David J. Graham, M.D., M.P.H., on the type 2 diabetes drug Avandia found that patients 65 years of age and older were associated with an increased risk of heart failure, stroke and death when compared with one other TZD – pioglitazone, also known as Actos. An article by Steven E. Nissen, M.D. and Kathy Wolski, M.P.H. released in the Archives of Internal Medicine merged results of risks and benefits of Avandia treatments from numerous studies. It established Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks with no increase for cardiovascular or all-cause mortality.

Results from a Bari2D Trial, an analysis of Avandia use in patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease, were released by the American Diabetes Association, and these findings were released impending a meeting by the Food and Drug Administration, which has not yet evaluated the safety of Avandia. Rather than comparing two TZD treatments, the Bari2D Trials only evaluated Avandia against no TZD use. Avandia was linked with MI, stroke and a drastically lower composite rate of death even after adjustments for differences in baseline characteristics as well as other anti-diabetic agents. However, congestive heart failure was not found to be more common in patients treated with Avandia.

Before using Avandia, it is recommended to inform your physician if you have any pre-existing health conditions, such as a history of heart attack, stroke, and liver disease or vision problems related to diabetes. Women of child-bearing age should also use Avandia with caution because it has induced menstrual cycles after prolonged periods of no menstrual activity due to existing health problems. Avandia has also been proven to cause harm to unborn babies and is labeled as a category C drug during pregnancy. Women should also refrain from breastfeeding while taking Avandia. Additionally, more instances of bone fractures when taking Avandia have occurred in women than in men.

While using Avandia, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, daily exercise, and to quit smoking and lose weight in order to help control diabetes. Keeping blood sugar levels under control and keeping HbA1c levels below 7.0 reduces risks of developing forms of ‘micro vascular’ complications, such as painful nerve conditions, kidney failure and decreased vision or blindness.

Due to health problems, many may not be able to exercise or lose weight to help control their diabetes. For obese diabetic patients, Melformin is another option to help control type 2 diabetes. If adequate HbA1c production is not controlled, there are alternative medications that may be considered, however, data on the side-effects of these other glucose-lowering medications on the cardiovascular risks are not abundant. If Avandia is considered for this purpose, there should be no expectations of reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Those that have controlled their HbA1c levels with Avandia should strongly consider continuing their medication. However, with the lack of supporting information and data on TZDs, physicians may substitute the medication if they or the patient is uncomfortable with prescribing it.

If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects, a heart attack or other health complications from using Avandia, contact Newsome Law Firm and fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with prescription medication. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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