Which is better Avandia or Glucophage?

courtvw · 07-16-2005, 07:47 PM

Hello to all--I am new to this board and just had a few questions for you all.
Does anyone know which is better Avandia or Glucophage for producing a bfp, or does it matter?
I have been through the ringer for fertility and I am back on clomid cycle #2 with Avandia.
Has anyone else noticed a small weight gain (5 lbs) with this combination of meds?
Thanks!!

Courtney

Zebra · 07-16-2005, 11:54 PM

Hi Courtney,
welcome to the site!
I am not an expert, but here are some differences:
Glucophage is available as a generic (Metformin) which might be cheaper, and most find it as effective. (some experience a difference in effectiveness)
Here is a comparison of teh side effects:
Side Effect Incidence for Avandia (%)
anemia 1.9
diarrhea 2.3
upper respiratory tract infection 9.9
excess fluid accumulation 4.8
back pain 4
fatigue 3.6
headache 5.9
high blood sugar 3.9
low blood sugar 0.6
increased liver enzymes 0.2
sinusitis 3.2

Side Effect Incidence for Metformin (%)
diarrhea > 30.0
gas > 30.0
lactic acidosis (accumulation of lactic acid in tissues) **
nausea > 30.0
taste disturbance 3
vomiting > 30.0
loss of appetite > 30.0
bloating > 30.0
low vitamin B-12 levels 9

Maybe that helps. I'd say it also depends on your doc's recommendation. I believe teh impact on teh liver is higher on Avandia.

I hope you find the one that works best for you!

Zebra

LaurAnnHere · 07-17-2005, 12:08 AM

I think it depends on the individual. I think that metformin is the drug of choice. I myself love Avandia b/c I don't suffer any ill effects on it. Currently my doc has decided he wants me to take Avandamet which is a combo of both, but I haven't gotten up the nerve to take it b/c I'm so scared of the met making me sick.

courtvw · 07-17-2005, 12:42 PM

Hi ladies--Thank you so much for your feedback. I only tried Glucophage for about a week and could not handle it and at that point I had not been dx PCOS but my OB wanted me to give it a try. That was probably 2 years ago. I have always been irregular--started at age 17 and did not have a period for several years. Well, I am now on my second month of consistently taking the Avandia without side effects. I was just concerned hoping that there was not a major difference in its ability to assist with a BFP. It seems that so many take the Glucophage and not the Avandia so I was concerned.
Will you all take the meds for long term treatment?

Zebra · 07-17-2005, 03:20 PM

I know at least one thin cyster who got a BFP on Avandia (sonshine_Rae). LaurAnn is right, it is a preference. I just think Met is more prevalent in treatment it seems.

I took Met only for 6 months, my doc wont give it to me unless I am TTC. But I took it after my BFP until week 12 of the pregnancy. But considering I had one AF atfer finishing up BFing, I might just see what my doc has in store for me to fix that... it's been 2.5 months and I am stil waiting for AF.

Here is some ***babydust*** your way for a BFP. ;-)

Zebra

lissadell · 07-18-2005, 07:13 PM

I'm not sure if either Met or Avandia is truly better for TTC purposes. As previously suggested, I think it comes down to the individual.

Met is more commonly used, and I believe there has been more research on it as well. I took Met (ER - the extended release version) for a year, and added Clomid to get my BFP. There has been a lot of research showing that the met + clomid combo is more effective than either med alone, so that's why I went in that direction.

I'm off Met now b/c of my pregnancy, but do plan to start taking it again as long-term treatment for PCOS again.

Good luck!

Chrissy · 07-20-2005, 09:43 PM

I have never tried Met but I have used Avandia. I was able to cycle on my own and actually ovulate. I was not trying to get pregnant at the time, actually trying not to, what a switch from before. (Seems a bit backwards that I found the med. once I'm done having children) I did retain fluid on it and this made me uncomfortable. I felt really great on it though. No tummy trouble, just a little low blood sugar if i took it in the morning. Once I switched to noon it went away. I do not test IR and never cycle on my own. Avandia worked like a charm for AF and if I were trying to get pregnant today would do anything to get my hands on it. You might consider Actos. My doctor uses this a lot for thin cysters as well. She suggested I try it to see if I retain less fluid. BEst of luck to you!!!

courtvw · 07-21-2005, 10:52 AM

Chrissy--What is Actos? I have never heard of that. Well, I am currently using Avandia 4 mg and Clomid--second month with that combination--we will see.
What are the benefits of taking the Avandia if you are not IR, thin and not TTC? I am just wondering for in the future.
Thank you all!!

Chrissy · 07-22-2005, 05:52 PM

Actos is a different med. that works in the same way as Avandia and is in the same class of drug. It is used in the same manner Avandia is used. I also took 4 mg. and eventually 2mg. a day.

I was given the Avandia as an alternative to hormones for making me cycle and to see how I would react to an ins. sens. drug. It worked wonderfully except I had trouble after about 4-5 months with fluid retention. My doctor did not want to try metformin since I have IBS and am not trying to conceive. I also tend to have low blood sugar and she has had better luck with her average weight patients tolerating the Avandia and Actos. We were both a bit surprised at how beautifully the Avandia worked.

My charting actually showed a temp. spike after the second month of use. I don't ever get a period and can go for a year or more without triggering one with hormones. For the Avandia to cause AF exactly 29 days after beginning, it proves that insulin plays a role in there somewhere, even if I don't show IR. Hope this helps!