Why is Avandia prescribed?

Rosiglitazone is used along with a diet and exercise program and sometimes with one or more other medications to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Rosiglitazone is in a class of medications called thiazolidinediones. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels. Rosiglitazone is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may occur if high blood sugar is not treated).

How should Avandia be used?

Rosiglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice daily with or without meals. Take rosiglitazone at about the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rosiglitazone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may increase your dose of rosiglitazone after 8-12 weeks, based on your body's response to the medication.

Rosiglitazone helps control type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks for your blood sugar to decrease, and 2-3 months or longer for you to feel the full benefit of rosiglitazone. Continue to take rosiglitazone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rosiglitazone without talking to your doctor.

 
What are some Avandia precautions?

Before taking rosiglitazone,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rosiglitazone or any other medications.
• tell your doctor if you are taking insulin or nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordril, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), or nitroglycerin (Nitro-BID, Nitro-Dur, Nitroquick, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes, and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates.. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take rosiglitazone if you are taking these medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: gemfibrozil (Lopid), other medications for diabetes, montelukast (Singulair), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or diabetic eye disease such as macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye); or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin, no longer available in the United States), especially if you stopped taking it because you experienced side effects.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking rosiglitazone, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while you are taking rosiglitazone.
• if you have not yet experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual periods) you should know that rosiglitazone may increase the chance that you will become pregnant even if you do not have regular monthly periods or you have a condition that prevents you from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovaries). Talk to your doctor about methods of birth control that will work for you.
• if you will be having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking rosiglitazone.
• ask your doctor what to do if you get sick, develop an infection or fever, experience unusual stress, or are injured. These conditions can affect your blood sugar and the amount of rosiglitazone you may need.

What are some possible Avandia side effects?

This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.

You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking this medication in combination with other medications used to treat diabetes. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:

• shakiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• sweating
• nervousness or irritability
• sudden changes in behavior or mood
• headache
• numbness or tingling around the mouth
• weakness
• pale skin
• hunger
• clumsy or jerky movements

If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.

• confusion
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger
• weakness
• blurred vision

If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• dry mouth
• upset stomach and vomiting
• shortness of breath
• breath that smells fruity
• decreased consciousness

Rosiglitazone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• runny nose and other cold symptoms
• sore throat
• back pain
• painful or irregular menstrual periods

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• dark urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• blurred vision
• vision loss
• difficulty seeing colors
• difficulty seeing in the dark
• pale skin
• dizziness
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• hives
• itching
• fever
• blisters

Rosiglitazone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

In clinical studies, more women who took rosiglitazone experienced fractures, especially of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, and lower legs than women who did not take rosiglitazone. Men who took rosiglitazone did not have a greater risk of experiencing fractures than men who did not take the medication. If you are a woman, talk to your doctor about the risk of taking this medication.