ask your pharmacist

What are the side effects of Avandia?

The most common side effects of Avandia include headache, mild to moderate swelling in the legs and ankles, increased blood cholesterol, fever, runny or stuffy nose, and anemia. Avandia can also stimulate ovulation, increasing the risk of pregnancy in premenopausal women who haven't been ovulating. So it's important for women of childbearing age to consider birth control while taking it.

There have been reports of liver damage linked to Rezulin (troglitazone), a drug no longer marketed, that is similar to Avandia. Liver damage did not occur in research tests of Avandia in over 4,000 people. But there have been two reports of liver problems from Avandia after it was approved. These cases improved after stopping Avandia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends blood tests every two months for people taking Avandia to detect liver problems early. Symptoms of liver problems include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, appetite loss, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, report them to your doctor.

Due to potential heart risks for some people taking Avandia, people should ask their doctor about the benefits and risks of taking this medication but should not stop taking any prescribed medications without first discussing the issue with their healthcare provider.

Sources:
Al-Salman, J. "Hepatocellular Injury In A Patient Receiving Rosiglitazone. A Case Report," Annals of Internal Medicine 132 (2000).
Avandia product information, GlaxoSmithKline, 2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Forman, L.M. "Hepatic Failure In A Patient Taking Rosiglitazone," Annals of Internal Medicine 132 (2000).
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.

This answer prepared 8/1/2001.
This information updated 6/11/2007.