FDA issues an alert on Avandia

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May 21st, 2007 the FDA issued an alert about a 43% increased risk of heart attacks when taking Avandia. I have been taking Avandia for about 6 months. I plan to continue to take Avandia at least until I see my doctor in 6 weeks. Actos is in the same chemical class as Avandia. ...

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FDA and Avandia
Dr. Bill Quick
Sunday, June 03, 2007 at 10:45 PM
I've written a discussion about Avandia (and touched on Actos). Please see http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/110/9741/avandia-questions/

and also David Mendosa's comments at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/9726/avandia-anxiety/

Best wishes,
Dr. Bill Quick

Call your doctor now about the Actos!
Vicki M
Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 10:42 AM

Bobcat's BF,

I took Actos for less than 6 months and had a significant weight gain of more than 25lbs in that time. I was experiencing edema in my legs and minor chest pains. I would suggest that you call your Doctor sooner rather than later (particularly if you are experiencing anything strange) and get off of the Actos if it is determined to be the cause. Waiting six weeks for me was not an option because I was also beginning to experience significant joint pain.

Because diabetics are prone to heart ailments, it's also good to have had a heart stress test to have a baseline in order to see any adverse changes in the heart. I have a stress test once a year just to make sure there is no damage from the diabetes.

Good Luck!

Vicki M

re: Call your doctor now about the Actos!
OL
Friday, July 06, 2007 at 09:02 AM
I started taking Actos about a month ago after the issues with Avandia. I was also taking 1000 mg of Fortamet( extented release metformin). I gained 5 pounds in a month and felt bloated. I discontinued the actos and increased the Fortamet. to 2000 mg per day. I feel better and blood sugar is under control. I felt comfortable doing this because my Doctor originally tried to get my metformin dosage to 2000 mg, but I could not tolerate that dosage of the single release metformin ( gastric distress) I can however tolerate that dosage of Fortamet. I will tell my Doctor at my next visit

re: re: Call your doctor now about the Actos!
bobcat's boyfriend
Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 04:39 AM

I stopped taking Metformin because I think it may have been part of causing me to have worsening irritable bowel pain. I also stopped any caffiene and that seemed to help. What kind of gastric distress did you experience?

re: re: re: Call your doctor now about the Actos!
OL
Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 03:58 PM
I experienced diarrhea, cramps and a"full" feeling. But these symptoms went away when when I switched to an extended release form of metformin like Fortamet the symtoms subsided significantly.

re: Call your doctor now about the Actos!
bobcat's boyfriend
Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 04:34 AM
Thank you for your reply. I will talk to my doctor about weight gain. Also, your suggestion about getting a stress test is a very good suggestion.

Avandia
Jackie
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 08:52 AM
my mother had congestive heart failure. We knew she was dying at age 82. But when they changed her medication to Avandia her health went down quickly. Could avandia have been the reason?