Avandamet

Avandamet questions and answers

Learn more about Avandamet.

Q: How long does it usually take Avandamet to start taking your blood sugar down.?
I have not been taking my Avandamet but one time a day instead of two because I don't have a job or the money for my medicine. I

A: The breathing techniques(pranayam) will help with the side effects of medicine and keep your sugar level in control.Over time your diabetes will get better gradually.You will know because you have to check the sugar level regularly.Start with a few minutes and increase your timing gradually.After you have built up your timing you will notice benefits within weeks.If you feel dizzy or tired then stop and resume later.Tell your doctor that you are doing pranayam.Print or save this to refer to all the time.You will be glad to help your body heal itself.The doctor will say there is no cure.Only by doing you will know. The pranayam techniques: Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose.Duration upto 5 minutes. Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently. Anulom Vilom - Deep Breath-in through left nostril keeping right nostril closed then - Breath-out through right nostril keeping left nostril closed then -Deep Breath-in through right nostril keeping left nostril closed then - Breath-out through left nostril keeping right nostril closed and repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 min/day). Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee. Do this 5-10 times.

Q: Is anyone else taking 8mg/2000mg of Avandamet AND 30 mg of Diamicron MR?
My husband's doctor just adjusted his diabetes medication and doubled his Avandamet and added the Diamicron MR and it seems like a lot. Just wondering if anyone else takes this combination and if they have experienced any side affects.

A: Apparently, no one who has seen your question is taking those amounts of medication. For good reason, in my estimation. I agree with you, it does seem like a lot. You didn't mention if that was an entire day's amount, or just one dose. My experience with type two diabetes indicates that nothing... ahem, let me emphasize... NOTHING, works better than the right diet and plenty of exercise. Too many doctors and patients seem to think medication is the answer to an unhealthy lifestyle. In the case of type two diabetes, no medication is going to stop the slide downhill if the diet doesn't change and some exercise is thrown into the equation. In fact, there is evidence to support the fact that medication will only increase the speed at which you end up injecting insulin. I worked my way off the medication in December of 2007. The "Health Ranger", Mike Adams did too. He runs naturalnews.com. I suggest you read the article he published below....

Q: in light of the recent news about Avandamet, which diabetes medicine for high blood sugar is best for me?
Which medicine is safest and most effective for controlling type 2 diabetes, and what are the side effects if any?

A: Actually, the increased risk with Avandia is pretty low. Metformin is widely considered to be the first line drug for type 2 diabetics. Talk with your doctor. If you still want to come off the Avandia, ask him/her for another medication to take with the Metformin.

Q: GREEN TEA INTERACTION WITH SYNTHROID,AVANDAMET, DIAVAN?


A: talk to a pharmacist. they will know.

Q: avandamet as treatment?
information on avandamet as treatment for DM type II

A: Here you go: http://www.drugs.com/avandamet.html

Q: Diabetic drug named AVANDAMET?
ok, my mom takes it. It was in the news yesterday and today. My mom is asking me if she should stop taking it. I told her not without the doctor's approval, but what is going on? I am worried. We have next month's appointment with the doctor and there is no way to reschedule it. What am I suppose to do?

A: There is no reason to suddenly stop taking this drug. The concern in the press has centered around the Avandia portion of the Avandamet (Metformin is the other drug in the combo). A paper publlished in the New England Journal of Medicine recently suggested that diabetic patients taking Avandia had a higher rate of heart attack compared to people taking placebo. However, the paper did not come from an actual study, but rather a meta-analysis, which is a review of older studies. The stats included in the paper are not sound, and the author is clearly biased. One diabetes specialist I spoke to today said he was shocked that a paper of such poor quality was published by the New England Journal of Medicine, and that this will prove to decrease the journal's overall credibility. Between now and your mom's appointment, stay on the Avandamet. Have a good discussion about it with the doctor then.

Q: Is there a way to bring down the level on the hba1c test quickly?
My husband was put on unpaid medical leave till his test results are 7-8. This morning they were 9. Per company policy and the nature of his job, he cannot work until he gets this down. Is there anything he can do to get it down so he can get back to work soon? If not, how long does it usually take for the numbers to go down on their own? His blood sugar is 140. He's on Avandamet.

A: I'm sorry, but I don't think there's a way to bring that test down quickly. The reason being that the test reflects an average over a long period of time (3-6 months). He'll need to be really careful with his diet over the next few weeks for sure. Since a 9 isn't too far away, it might be worth it to check it again in a few weeks. Sorry I don't have a better answer...

Q: Has anyone else with diabetes type 2 experienced problems with metformin?
When first diagnosed 7 years ago I was prescribed metformin, then a couple of years ago for no apparent reason it stopped working and I was prescribed Avandamet, a combined metformin and rosiglitazone. A month ago a blood test showed my overall sugar level to have risen from the usual 5 to 6 and my doctor put me back on metformin only. (I know there was some concern about rosiglitazone at the time so that could have been the reason for the change) Now it is, again, as if I was not taking any medication at all. I am due for another check up this week, and wondering what the doctor will suggest next. Is it that the metformin is not suitable for me and what alternatives can I expect. My doctor is not a great one for discussing anything with patients, so it's a case of being forwarned is forarmed.

A: The obvious answer would be to wait until your HbA1C result confirms any abnormality. I presume you have been continuously taking metformin for at least one clear month so it may be advisable to have another HbA1C three months after discontinuing the rosiglitazone. Your blood glucose levels do not indicate any cause for concern and could easily be attributed to changes to your normal routine of diet/exercise/health/social factors. Examine these possibilities and ask to speak to the Diabetes Nurse at your G.P. practice if you need another sounding board other than your Doctor.

Q: is viagra safe as i am taking metaprolol, Avandamet, synthroid, and ASA. pl. advise?


A: This is a question you should really be asking your own doctor, who will review your cardiac history before prescribing Viagra for you (you weren't thinking of buying the dodgy stuff off the internet were you?)

Q: Anyone here take Avandamet?
My doc just prescribed this for me today and I wanted to know of those of you taking it has it worked well? How many times a day do you take it? What side effects did you experience? Did your weight change? I'm worried about this making me gain weight since I am trying so hard with diet and exercise to lose weight to help bring my sugar down. Thanks in advance everyone. FYI -I am already on 500mg of metformin so taking this is basically just adding the avandia to it. I'm not taking insulin so I should be OK. Should I even start this medicine?- my heart is good and I don't want to create any problems. How long did you take it before you noticed swelling in your ankles?

A: " Avandamet, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl. Avandamet can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on Avandamet. Avandamet is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe. Rosiglitazone, a component of Avandamet, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended." The first signs of Heart Problems with this med is the ankle swelling. Most of us have had to quit this med for this reason. It causes weight gain by water retention. My doctor put me on it knowing I was taking the insulin she put me on!! Doctors do not read all the monographs reguarding the meds they want us to take. Be very careful taking this med!!! Watch your ankles and go to the doctor the minute you see swelling in the ankles and yell bloody murder.

Q: what blood glucose level should a type 2 diabetic strive for?
I started Avandamet about 3 weeks ago and my fasting level in the morning is usually between 140 & 170. I don't know if the medicine is working yet or not. I thought it should be around 110????

A: That's a little high. As stated above, you should be shooting for 80 - 120. If you're stressed or ill, it might account for higher readings, but otherwise, you need to do a better job with your diet, weight management, exercise, and consider adding some easy to find, inexpensive supplements. These all helped me to achieve a hemoglobin A1C of 5.8. Read more on my diabetes info webpage: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html

Q: I have pcos, did anyone stopped taking meds?
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome. I stopped taking meds since August 2005. I was on glucophage (avandamet), levoxyl for hypothyroid. I was wondering if anyone stopped taking meds due to personal reasons? I am hoping to meet with doctors soon to start all over again from scratch, after I moved to my current hometown.

A: Unless you are really against taking medication, I'd suggest staying on the presribed drugs. PCOS is basically a condition where your hormones are not in balance. Your body will have a higher level of testosterone, which results in side effects like hair growth and acne. It also leads to insulin resistance, which can cause rapid weight gain and an increased likelihood of diabetes. Glucophage is a diabetes medicine that has been found to be incredibly effective in reducing the insulin resistance of PCOS. This helps regulate your weight. Often women find they drop a decent amount of weight after starting glucophage. The birth control pill will help regulate your hormones and reduce the side effects I mentioned above. However, please take my advice with a grain of salt and talk to your doctor. If you want to do some research, read this book, which is a really good resource: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0944934250/sr=8-10/qid=1151535377/ref=pd_bbs_10/104-1746581-3545564?ie=UTF8

Q: Is pregnancy while having Diabetes dengerous to my baby ?
i have Diabetes and i am still under medecation i take 4 types of pills 1. Amaryl 2mg 2.Glucophage 3. Avandamet 4. Neurobion should i continue with my medicine? i am 3 weeks pregnent now i have Diabetes and i am still under medecation i take 4 types of pills 1. Amaryl 2mg 2.Glucophage 3. Avandamet 4. Neurobion should i continue with my medicine? i am 3 weeks pregnent now and i am working overseas which prevents me from consult my docter i'll be back to my country in 12days and i wonder i should stop my medicine during this 12 days or not ?

A: Amaryl, Glucophage, and Avandamet are considered catagory C in pregnancy meaning that studies have shown an adverse effect in animals during pregnancy and is not recommended for humans during pregnancy. Neurobion is considered safe during pregnancy. My father is a pharmacist in the US, and I consulted w/ him regarding your question. You need to continue taking these until you speak w/ your doctor so you do not experience raised or lowered blood sugar. Taking them for the first part of pregnancy should not cause damage to occur. Your doctor may instruct you to quit taking the first 3 and use more insulin. DO NOT do this unless your doctor instructs you to. I have listed some websites I hope are helpful. Congrats on your pregnancy!

Q: Should I be checking my blood sugar?
My doctor says my I am insulin resistant. He puts me on Avandamet twice daily but says nothing about checking my sugar levels. Is this normal?

A: Insulin resistance (metabolic syndrome) is NOT caused by a drug deficiency. You may want to find a 'real' doctor that will work with you to change your diet/lifestyle, which are the underlying issues that cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is not diabetes (although it can lead to diabetes), so you do not need to regularly check your blood sugar levels. However, you should regularly assess your diet, your nutritional status (your current doctor probably has no idea how to do that!), your exercise habits, etc.). Best wishes and good luck (if your stay with this drug-pushing doc you will need it!).

Q: im back! i have lost so much weight over a 3 1/2 month period...?
I saw my g.p. today, he said tht my hb Aic test was 10.0 (it was 12.3 3mnths ago). would this be the reason i could be loosing weight? he has placed me on avandamet now. i am so confused and sick of feeling sic, please help!

A: Yes , in your case weight loss is probably caused by poor controlled diabetes. Has your dr. considered the use of insulin? Even if you have type 2 diabetes, insulin improves the glycemic control faster, it removes the symptoms of hyperglycemia, and the weight loss. The fact that A1C has dropped with 2.3 % in 2 months is a good sign. It still has to drop with 3% until diabetes is well controlled. Oral medication can do this too, but slower. Insulin treatment does not necessarily has to be permanent, there's also a temporary insulin therapy. After you reach the glycemic goals you can be switched to oral medication again. My honest advice is to ask your dr about insulin treatment. It could be a beneficial option for you. take care