Avandia

Generic name: Rosiglitazone maleate

What is Avandia?

Avandia is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise. This drug helps your body become more sensitive to the insulin that you make; it does not increase the amount of insulin you produce. Avandia may be used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs.

What is the most important information I should know about Avandia?

Avandia may cause fluid retention (when your body keeps extra fluid), swelling (edema), and weight gain. These severe side effects may cause heart failure or make other heart problems worse. You should not take Avandia if you have severe heart failure. If you have heart failure with symptoms and even if these symptoms are not severe, Avandia may not be the right medication for you. Other drugs like Avandia, taken at the same time, may increase the chances of heart failure as well.

Call you doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms of heart failure:

Swelling or fluid retention, especially in the ankles or legs; shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially when you lie down; fast increase in weight; or feeling unusually tired.

Avandia may also cause other problems related to the reduced blood flow to the heart, including chest pain (angina) or a heart attack (myocardial infarction). The risk seems to be higher in patients who take Avandia with insulin or nitrate medicines. If you have chest pain, call your doctor right away no matter what diabetes medicine you are taking. People with diabetes have a greater risk for heart problems, so it is important to work with your doctor to manage other conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Who should not take Avandia?

Do not begin treatment with Avandia if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Also, do not begin treatment with this drug if you have heart or liver problems, heart failure, diabetic eye disease called macular edema, type 1 diabetes, had liver problems while taking another diabetes medicine called Rezulin, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you are premenopausal (in the years before menopause and experiencing irregular monthly periods), Avandia may increase your chances of becoming pregnant.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Avandia?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Avandia. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have heart or liver problems, have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye), are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Adults: The usual daily starting dose of Avandia is 4 milligrams (mg) a day taken once a day or 2 mg taken twice a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose until your blood sugar is better controlled.

How should I take Avandia?

Take Avandia with or without food.

Diet and exercise can help your body use its blood sugar better. It is important to stay on your recommended diet, lose excess weight, and get regular exercise.

Test your blood sugar regularly as told by your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Avandia?

Avoid becoming pregnant or nursing while on Avandia. Talk to your doctor about birth control choices as Avandia may increase your chances of becoming pregnant. In addition, you should avoid taking insulin or nitrates while on therapy with Avandia.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Avandia?

If Avandia is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Avandia with the following: insulin; nitrate medicines such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide to treat a type a type of chest pain called angina; and any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke

Talk with your doctor if you are taking any medication containing gemfibrozil or rifampin; a change in treatment may be necessary if you are using such drugs.

What are the possible side effects of Avandia?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: cold-like symptoms, headache

Serious side effects may include: anemia (low red blood cell count), edema (swelling/fluid retention, shortness of breath, quick weight increase, tiredness), fractures (usually in the hand, upper arm, or foot) in females, heart failure or other heart problems such as chest pain or heart attack, liver problems (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of skin/eyes), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), macular edema (a diabetic eye disease with swelling in the back of the eye), ovulation (release of egg from an ovary in a woman) leading to pregnancy, weight gain.

Can I receive Avandia if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are nursing, before beginning treatment with Avandia. The effects of this drug on pregnancy are unknown, and it may pass into your breast milk.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Avandia?

If you miss a dose of Avandia, take your pill as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take your next dose. Take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

How should I store Avandia?

Store at room temperature.