Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be observed while taking Avandia use as follows:
- Avandia use also carries the risk of causing fast, pounding, and abnormal heartbeat, leading to severe debility, cardiac arrhythmias, and associated complications. This risk is even more in individuals with history of abnormal heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias. Individuals taking avandia must be aware of and be watchful for symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias, such as, episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Report to your physician on noting any of these symptoms for further recommendations.
- Bone remodeling is a continuous lifetime process involving removal of the mature bone tissue from the skeletal framework (bone resorption) and deposition of new bone into the skeletal framework. Avandia use can result in increased resorption of the existing bone framework and decreased new bone formation. This contributes to weakening of the skeletal framework, resulting in episodes of sharp bone pain, tenderness, and pathological fractures. Individuals taking avandia must have a close watch for any episodes of sharp bone pain & tenderness and report to the physician on the same for further investigation. Individuals with history of osteoporosis must be increasingly cautious while taking avandia, as it can further weakening of bones and skeletal framework.
- Female sex hormone estrogen plays a significant role in synthesis of new bone and maintaining bone health. As estrogen levels drop after menopause, women in menopausal age group are naturally at high risk for weakened bone framework and fractures. So, use of avandia can be of heightened concern in menopausal women. Menopausal women taking avandia must have a close watch for any episodes of sharp bone pain & tenderness and report to the physician on the same for further investigation.
- Avandia carries the potential to induce liver disease & toxicity and can complicate the outcome for individuals with history of liver disease. Discuss with your physician regarding history of liver disease and compromised liver function, if any, and your safety with avandia intake. Individuals with liver disease can present with abdominal discomfort, stomach pain, poor appetite, and uncontrolled nausea & vomiting. This can result in reduced intake and weight loss. Liver disease can also contribute to high bilirubin levels in the blood, which can lead to itching and irritation of skin, and yellowing of skin & eyes. High bilirubin levels in the blood can also lead to increased bilirubin elimination in urine, resulting in dark yellow urine. While taking avandia, report to your physician for further management measures, in the event of presentation with any of the symptoms discussed above.
