Talking Drugs With Donna

AVANDIA

Use: to treat type 2 diabetes by helping the body utilize the insulin it produces more effectively. People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but sometimes their cells are unable to utilize this insulin and need a boost. Avandia assists the cell with insulin utilization.

Side Effects: the most common side effects are flu-like symptoms, backache, fluid retention, swelling, inflammation of the sinuses, and headache. If used with sulfoylurea (Glucotrol, Amaryl, Glynase, Diabeta) or insulin, low blood sugars are a risk.

Special Recommendations: liver studies must be done prior to using Avandia, every two months for one year, then on a regular basis. If a woman has not reached menopause, but periods have stopped, the initiation of Avandia may result in ovulation and the possibility of pregnancy if a good method of birth control is not used.

STAFF:
Barb Conniff, CEO AE: bconniff@aemhmr.org
Joanne Cooke, HCQU Director: jcook@northwesthc.org
Darcee Dunkle, Client Services Coordinator: ddunkle@northwesthc.org
Amy Tobolski, Behavior Health Specialist: atobolski@northwesthc.org
Betty Bedner, Health Services Specialist: bbedner@northwesthc.org
Bonnie Jewell, Health Services Specialist: bjewell@northwesthc.org
Donna Ochterski, Health Services Specialist: docherski@northwesthc.org
Darryl Bergstrom, MIS Director: dberstrom@northwesthc.org
Lynn Carnahan, Training Coordinator: lcarnahan@northwesthc.org
Brenda Brien, Office Assistant: bbrien@northwesthc.org

April 22

 

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