Commonly Asked Questions About Avandaryl

Commonly Asked Questions About Avandaryl
GlaxoSmithKline

What are possible serious side effects of Avandaryl?

Talk to your doctor about these side effects:
* heart failure. Avandaryl can cause your body to keep extra fluid (fluid retention), which leads to swelling and weight gain. Extra body fluid can make some heart problems worse or lead to heart failure. See "swelling (edema) from fluid retention" section below.
* low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness or hunger may mean that your blood sugar is too low. This can happen if you skip meals, drink alcohol, use another medicine that lowers blood sugar, exercise (particularly hard or long), or if you have certain medical problems. Call your doctor if you have low blood sugar.
* high blood sugar or loss of control of blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you have fever, an infection, trauma, or surgery, your doctor may temporarily stop the Avandaryl and treat the high blood sugar with insulin.
* swelling (edema) from fluid retention. See "heart failure" section above. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as:
o Swelling or fluid retention, especially in the ankles or legs
o Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially when you lie down
o An unusually fast increase in weight
o Unusual tiredness
* fractures, usually in the hand, upper arm or foot, in females. Talk to your doctor for advice on how to keep your bones healthy.
* weight gain. Avandaryl can cause weight gain that may be due to fluid retention or extra body fat. Weight gain can be a serious problem for people with certain conditions including heart problems. Call your doctor if you have an unusually fast increase in weight.
* low red blood cell count (anemia).
* ovulation (release of egg from an ovary in women) leading to pregnancy. Ovulation may happen in premenopausal women who do not have regular monthly periods. This can increase the chance of pregnancy.
* liver problems. It is important for your liver to be working normally when you take Avandaryl. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking Avandaryl and during treatment as needed. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained symptoms such as:
o nausea or vomiting
o stomach pain
o unusual or unexplained tiredness
o loss of appetite
o dark urine
o yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

The most common side effects with Avandaryl include cold-like symptoms, injury, and dizziness.

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