Avandia

I have been taking Avandia for about 1 yr. I have not experienced any vision disturbances. But have experienced other "side effects" previously noted (particularly back pain). Since this drug is very expensive (about $5/caplet), I may suggest to my doctor to either put me a generic form(cheaper) or take me off all together and substitute another drug in its place.

BillC.

I took Avandia from June - Aug 2005. It really helped to keep my glucose levels low and steady --- something I'd not had for a couple of years, no matter how much I watched my diet and exercise. Then, in mid-August, I began to experience a couple of the side effects -- rapid weight gain (I gained 30 pounds in 2 weeks!!!), and severe edema in my feet and legs. My doctor immediately took me off Avandia. However, my glucose levels have not been as low since going off the medication.

anyone had any adverse reaction to avandia lately?

I begin taking Advandia in 2005. My vision begin to get very blurry right away. I asked my Doctor if the drug was what caused it and she said NO.Istayed on the drug and my vision became worse until I went to a eye doctor. He told me that I needed to get my diabetes under control,I told him that it was at the levels of 90 to 110 at all times and that I could see very well before taking the advandia. My doctors kept insising that it was not the drug, The doctor preformed Lazer on my eyes ,but it didn't improve them, On 1/06/06 I heard that the drug company issused a warning that Advandia could indeed harm yor eyes. I stoped taking the drug, but it had already caused me to be blind in my left eye. My right eye has improved since I went of the drug, but my left eye is still the same. I wish doctors would listen more to the side effects of drugs, and that drug makers would televise more than they do about the side effects. NOT 10 seconds at 8:00 in the morning on Sat. and nothing else. It needs to be posed a number of times so that everyone can hear it. THANK GOD In was in the right place at the RIGHT TIME.

My mother, aged 81,nearly blind because of diabetes II, used Avandia for three months. During this priod she started feeling very bad: swollen legs etc. But what was worse was the fact that she started to tremble. This could not be seen from the outside. She felt it inside. It would start about 1.5 hours after having taken her insulin in the morning. This trembling would start in het belly and spread up- and downwards. It would affect her heart, shoulders and even reach her neck and head.(in Europe taking avandia and insulin together is formally forbidden, but doctors prescribe it anyway). She felt so bad that we, her daughter and she, decided to stop taking this medicine. We feared for her life. Her doctor, even though he was a friendly person, never checked her kidneys, her liver. He prescribed this medicine even though she is a heart patient (pacemaker). This happened two and a half years ago, but up to this day she still feels the trembles, especially when she lies down. Does anyone recognize this symptom? She now also fears that the medicine may have further damaged her eyesight.

Hi, my Mother was put on Avandia and after a while one of her arms has swollen up. The Doctor says it's nothing of concern to him - probably fuild retention. Can any one here comment please?

Notice--if you know anyone Blind that takes the Drugs-Actos or Avandia-Please spread the word
THESE DRUGS CAN CAUSE YOU TO GO BLIND
In Jan 2000 I was prescribed 15 mil per day Actos-in a few months it was raised to 25 mil per day-in Oct 01 it was raised to 35 mil-in Aug 01 I had a light stroke in NOV 01-vision got very blurry.
My Dr sent me to a Dr of Ophthalmology, Tulsa, OK-the Dr stated, we can fix this, you got to me in time. We started Lasers, 3 treatments in left eye & one treatment in right eye, vision got worse. Now I had Cystoids Macular Edema. Shots in the eyes 2 in right & 4 in left of Kenalog.
About July 03 my medication was changed from Actos to Avandia. Since Kenalog can worsen cataracts, I had cataract surgery on left eye Dec 24th 03-it was wonderful I could hardly waite to get right eye done. Jan 04 we done cataract surgery on right eye--My vision was 20-20-BUT-only for a few days!! The swelling had come back.
On Jan 6th of this year I was watching the local evening news-they stated the F D A has put out a warning on the drug Avandia-in research, Actos & Avandia have some of the same ingredients --Could my problem be the medication?
I stopped taking Avandia on Jan 7th-I watch my blood sugar well & it is better since I stopped taking Avandia All the things that were being done to my eyes was all in vain as the drug was causing such swelling.
My vision is getting better by the day since I stopped taking, Avandia. Now my problem is all the lasers, shots & work that has been done to my eyes in trying to fix a problem I did not have.

Hi Dottie,

I in the similar situation as yours. I stopped taking Avandia in Jan 2005. By that time, the damage was already done. The doctors have been trying laser and injections.

Thanks and Regards,
Henry

Dottie K wrote:

I begin taking Advandia in 2005. My vision begin to get very blurry right away. I asked my Doctor if the drug was what caused it and she said NO.Istayed on the drug and my vision became worse until I went to a eye doctor. He told me that I needed to get my diabetes under control,I told him that it was at the levels of 90 to 110 at all times and that I could see very well before taking the advandia. My doctors kept insising that it was not the drug, The doctor preformed Lazer on my eyes ,but it didn't improve them, On 1/06/06 I heard that the drug company issused a warning that Advandia could indeed harm yor eyes. I stoped taking the drug, but it had already caused me to be blind in my left eye. My right eye has improved since I went of the drug, but my left eye is still the same. I wish doctors would listen more to the side effects of drugs, and that drug makers would televise more than they do about the side effects. NOT 10 seconds at 8:00 in the morning on Sat. and nothing else. It needs to be posed a number of times so that everyone can hear it. THANK GOD In was in the right place at the RIGHT TIME.

Ive taken avandia for about 5 years,,,, it started off keepin my sugar low but as time has gone on I keep gaining weight and hold water, my legs swell up and now the heart doc has me on water pills and I get low on potassium ,, seems like the pills go on and on,,,,,,,I do get back pains and and bone pains and am so tired of all the water retention, dont know if this is from the avandia or the diabetic thing but am going to change meds thats for sure,,,

I just stopped taking Avandia today. I took it for 2 months and gained over 12 lbs, was hungry all the time, and my body swelled (even my face). I am going to stay on my metformin and watch my diet. This has def given me incentive to stay off of Avandia by diet and exercise.

I have been on Avandia for about six months. I reported to my doctor that my eyes had gotten suddenly 4X worse in prescription, that I was vomiting often, and he told me that I have mild anemia and an enlarged heart. I did not have any of this previous to taking Avandia. I also have sudden debilitating leg pains, charlie horses, and overwhelming nausea in sudden bursts. It's Christmas day and I am going to stop taking the drug immediately, stay on my metformin, manage my food and get off my lazy A.. and exercise. Good wishes to all of you who read this.

Since I have stopped taking the drug Advandia my eyes have improved. The drug caused my eyeballs to swell. I still have problems in my left eye. The eye doctor said it may not get any better. He said I would have been better if I had not had the lazer. The sight in my left eye is all but gone. I know it was the drug. I could see very well before taking the drug. I have been off almost a year. Thank God I found out about it, or I would be blind by now

my husband was also given avandia for his diabetes,he was seeing fine before taking this medication,but now he can not see well at all in both eyes,had 4 laser treaments since july 06 and has not improved at all,off avandia now but damage is already done.

Have been on Avandamet for several months now and previously avanda and have experienced no problems what so ever with the drug which surprises me very much as I tend to experience the biggest percentage of the side effects of any drug I take..but about 2 years ago I took Actos, I developed cataracts and had to have surgery on my eyes and this all developed in a period of about 2 years..I should mention I am what was considered young for type of surgery according to the doctors..and he asked had I been taking any strong drugs..so it made me think and I was wondering had anyone else had any of these types of problems..so today with a bit of free time I done a search and am finding this link. anyway after surgery my vision is almost perfect..so I guess something good came from it..have worn glasses for nearsideness since early childhood..is great seeing without the things now.

I have been on advandia for almost a month my sugar levels were running over 240. I have not noticed any blurred vision yet! but I keep getting chest pains I feel like I am having a heart attack coming on then I am able to vomit and pain goes away. Also notice weight gain; even with the vomitting. Anyone else experience this?

So many of us have been harmed by Avandia. Their must be a class action. It seems their is little hope for us who have lost our income due to our vision because of Avandia.
If you have been harmed by Avandia contact Greg Williams with Garrett Law 800-521-8911

I was on Metformin and then Dr. put me on Avandia. I have quickly gained weight, retained fluid,severe cramps in legs, ribs, back, eyes are blurry, upper arm feels like it is broken, and in terrible pain because of it. I am quitting this drug and would rather take my chances with higher blood sugar levels.

I have been on Avanda for 5 years. For me it was great...Blood levels were all over the place, 100-220...was taking isulin 3 times a day via pen..

Was able to stop all of this and have for 4 years just taken Avandia...in the morning...have a normal blood sugar...115-120..bit high, but long sugar average.

Have gained weight...but due to food, eat everything, and no exercise..on my part...

Have leg cramps...take potassium to fix this...had cramps prior also...potassium 400mg x2 daily worked...

My vision was better then 20-20...however as I´m now 50 and work at a computer screen all day...thought it was this.

Do have at times..when sight seems a bit blurry...ummm...interesting...

Have had a eye check...was ok...
Need minor correction..

Will follow this and like to hear more.

Cheers

Jim