Avandia (rosiglitazone) is a medicine used to help control blood sugars in people with diabetes.  First off, some background articles that may be helpful:

Diabetes Type 2 Overview and Actos and Avandia -What’s the Deal?!

There has been a lot of controversy of benefits versus risks with these medications -especially Avandia.  For a while now, Avandia has been considered unsafe because it is associated with higher risk of heart attacks and strokes and worsened cholesterol levels.

Well, for those who are still on Avandia, I am sure you will soon notice it is SUPER difficult to get it any longer.  Due to heart concerns, after mid-November, there is a new program that you and your physician will need to be enrolled in -just to be able to get Avandia.  It is the Avandia -Rosiglitazone Medicines Access Program (this link will take you to Avandia.com).  Only patients that are already on Avandia or have no other options will be able to get the medication through the program.  Avandia will no longer be available at your local pharmacy -ONLY through the program which will mail the medication to your home.

On the other hand, we have Actos (pioglitazone), which was considered the “safe” option.  Now, there are some murmurs about increased risk of bladder cancer with use of Actos.   The risk is really quite small, but best to avoid Actos if you have a history of bladder cancer.

I hope this clears up why there is no Avandia to be found!  If you have any questions about switching to a different diabetes medicine -please leave a comment.  And if you are part of the Avandia program, we would love to hear how that is going for you!