Both Actos and Avandia are used to treat diabetes.  There has been some major controversy surrounding these medications because they can increase the risk of heart failure, fractures and retinal swelling.

Avandia and Actos are the only two medications in the class of oral hypoglycemic drugs called thiazolidinediones.  Big enough word for ya? 🙂  These meds work by increasing insulin sensitivity in the body.

If this is confusing and you want some background on diabetes -please see the Diabetes Type 2 Overview article.

So, if you need to be on a thiazolidinediones -what do you do?

Here is the breakdown between Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Actos (pioglitazone).

• Avandia is associated with higher risk of heart attacks and strokes (Actos is not)
• Avandia increases LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides but Actos lowers triglycerides and raises HDL (good cholesterol).
• Avandia has increased risk of side effects then Actos.

So, my recommendations are use other meds first -there are other options out there!  Only start on Actos or Avandia as a last resort.  If you need to use one of these, Actos appears to be safer.  If you are currently taking Avandia talk to your physician about switching over to Actos.

I would love to hear what you think!  If you want to learn more about diabetes -please see our folder of diabetes articles.