Talking Drugs With Donna

AVANDIA

Use: to treat type 2 diabetes by helping the body utilize the insulin it produces more effectively. People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but sometimes their cells are unable to utilize this insulin and need a boost. Avandia assists the cell with insulin utilization.

Side Effects: the most common side effects are flu-like symptoms, backache, fluid retention, swelling, inflammation of the sinuses, and headache. If used with sulfoylurea (Glucotrol, Amaryl, Glynase, Diabeta) or insulin, low blood sugars are a risk.

Special Recommendations: liver studies must be done prior to using Avandia, every two months for one year, then on a regular basis. If a woman has not reached menopause, but periods have stopped, the initiation of Avandia may result in ovulation and the possibility of pregnancy if a good method of birth control is not used.

April 22