Avandia (Generic)

Rosiglitazone is used along with a diet and exercise program and sometimes with other medications to treat type 2 (noninsulin dependent) diabetes. Rosiglitazone is in a class of medications called thiazolidinediones.

Rosiglitazone may be taken once or twice daily, with or without meals.
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.

The most common side effects seen with rosiglitazone alone or in combination with metformin are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, back pain, hyperglycemia, fatigue, sinusitis, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia.
Since troglitazone, a related drug, was associated with liver injury, it is recommended that liver tests be obtained before starting therapy and periodically thereafter. Side effects which may suggest liver injury include unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia (loss of appetite), or dark urine.

Rifampin decreases the blood concentration of rosiglitazone by increasing its breakdown in the liver. Therefore, use of rifampin may decrease the effect of rosiglitazone.

Gemfibrozil increases the concentration of rosiglitazone in the blood by reducing its breakdown. Therefore, rosiglitazone may increase the side effects of rosiglitazone.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Rosiglitazone may cause ovulation in premenopausal women who have stopped ovulating because they are resistant to insulin. Rosiglitazone may improve insulin sensitivity sufficiently to cause ovulation. Therefore, there is the potential for rosiglitazone to lead to pregnancy.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember it until it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Rosiglitazone, combined with diet, exercise, weight control and cessation of smoking is used for treating type II diabetes. Rosiglitazone may be used alone or in combination with other types of anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin or sulfonylureas as well as insulin. Since it requires naturally-secreted insulin to be effective, rosiglitazone is not recommended for use in type I diabetes where the amount of insulin is very low or absent.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rosiglitazone or any other medications and also prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
Be sure to mention: candesartan (Atacand), felodipine (Lexxel, Plendil), gemfibrozil (Lopid), insulin and other medications for diabetes,montelukast (Singulair), phenobarbital, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane in Rifamate), trimethoprim (in Bactrim, in Septra, others), and zafirlukast (Accolate).
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.
Follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian.

Keep all appointments with your doctor, your eye doctor, and the laboratory. Your doctor will probably order regular eye examinations and certain laboratory tests to check your body's response to rosiglitazone.