Hello.

I have taken this drug for the last 3 years and was wondering what everyone thinks is it safe? I called my doctor when i heard about the problem with this drug on the news and they told me that the information was a farce? They told me that they have a pamphet that the drug company issued? I just need some good information?
THANKS

I don't think there is any good information on the subject. Each camp is saying the opposite to the other. One interesting thing is that I just got back from England and I didn't hear a word about these safety concerns. The only thing I will say is it shouldn't really come as a surprise. I only started taking it a couple of months ago and it clearly stated on the patient information leaflet, the Avandia website and other drug websites that there was an increased risk of heart failure linked to the drug.

I just read a very interesting article in the today's Los Angeles Times health section about Avandia and the risk of heart attacks. It is available online and may give you some comfort. I was surprised to find how much diabetes itself raises the risk of heart attack, even when blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure are under good control.

I've been taking Avandia for 1 month now, and for the last three nights, I've woken up with a bad leg cramp at least once per night. I never had this problem before, and have to jump put of bed to get rid of the cramps.

I have no idea if Avandia is causing this, although I do see cramps are one of the adverse symptoms that can happen with Avandia.

If I continue having the cramps for the next couple of days, I will temporarily stop the Avandia and see if it goes away, and will let you know the outcome.

I've been taking Avandia for 1 month now, and for the last three nights, I've woken up with a bad leg cramp at least once per night. I never had this problem before, and have to jump put of bed to get rid of the cramps.

I have no idea if Avandia is causing this, although I do see cramps are one of the adverse symptoms that can happen with Avandia.

If I continue having the cramps for the next couple of days, I will temporarily stop the Avandia and see if it goes away, and will let you know the outcome.
I began taking avandia maybe four years ago. No problems that I was aware of.

In August 2006, I began seeing a doctor about my metabolism. She took me off avandia and put me on Avandaryl. She also switched me immediately from Paxil to Wellbutrin-a very bad and nearly sue-able error--malpractice etc. for that sudden switch.

Anyway, I took Avandaryl until late May of 2007. At that time, for some reason, I began researching online the chemicals/drugs I was dumping into my body daily.

I went to a web site where patients discuss their reactions to 1000s of drugs. Very very interesting.

The comments on the site were an eyeopener. Maybe half of the messages about avandaryl concerned "rapid, sudden, and significant" weight gain in the gut.

Of course, I had noticed that over the past six months I too had developed an abnormally large gut. Even my friends commented on it. I wasn't eating more.

I then realized it was the avandaryl.

I am now off of it--only two weeks now.

I'm on Amaryl, which does NOT cause weight gain!!

corgi