Brand Name

Avandia {GlaxoSmithKline}

Generic Name

rosiglitazone, pronounced row zi GLI ta zone

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Avandia?

Avandia is an oral diabetes medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Avandia can help tocontrol blood sugar levels. Avandia should not be used along with insulin, but it may be usedalongside other oral anti-diabetic medications.

Avandia may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Avandia

Certain oral diabetes medications, like Avandia, may increase your risk of developing seriousheart problems, such as a heart attack or stroke. Avandia is only available to certain peoplewith type 2 diabetes, who cannot control their diabetes with other medications.

Avandia is available under a special program called Avandia-Rosiglitazone Medicines AccessProgram. To access Avandia you must be registered in the program and sign certain documentsstating that you understand the risks and benefits of taking this medication.

Be aware that women may be more likely than men to have bone fractures in their hand, upperarm or foot while taking Avandia. Tell your doctor if you are concerned about your potential forfractures, especially if you are a woman.

While you are taking Avandia take care to monitor your blood sugar and not let it get too low.Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur if you exercise too long, drink alcohol, skip a mealor are under extreme stress. While taking Avandia be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar ,which include headache, hunger, sweating, tremors, trouble concentrating and weakness. You shouldhave either hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you develop hypoglycemia. Your doctorcan advise you of the correct product to take with you while you are out, and how exactly toavoid hypoglycemia. Make sure your friends, family and co-workers are aware of your situationand know how to help you in an emergency.

Avandia is in FDA pregnancy category C. You should not use Avandia if you are pregnant,planning to become pregnant or nursing. We do not yet know the effects Avandia has on an unbornbaby. Because we do not know if Avandia passes into breast milk you should not breast-feed whiletaking Avandia.

Some women who have taken Avandia started having menstrual periods again, even after nothaving a period for a long time due to menopause or a medical condition. If you have not beenthrough menopause you may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctorif you find the need to revisit the idea of birth control.

Before You Take Avandia

If you are allergic to rosiglitazone you should not take Avandia.

If you have severe heart failure, congestive heart failure, a history of heart attack orstroke or heart disease you should not take Avandia.

If you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis or if you have eye problems caused by diabetesyou should not take Avandia.

Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before starting treatment with Avandia.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not takeAvandia.

Avandia Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• allergy medications
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
• asthma medications
• birth control pills or hormones
• cold medications
• delavirdine (Rescriptor)
• diabetes medications like acarbose (Precose), metformin (Glucophage), miglitol (Glyset), androsiglitazone (Avandia)
• diet pills
• diuretics
• fluconazole (Diflucan)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• insulin
• isoniazid
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• MAOIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• nicardipine (Cardene)
• NSAIDs like celecoxib (Celebrex), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),indomethacin (Indocin), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and piroxicam (Feldene)
• pain or arthritis medications like flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),indomethacin (Indocin), mefenamic acid (Ponstel) and piroxicam (Feldene)
• phenothiazines (Compazine)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate)
• seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin),phenobarbital (Solfoton), and primidone (Mysoline)
• steroids, like prednisone
• sulfa drugs like Bactrim, Gantanol, Gantrisin, Septra, and SMX-TMP
• sulfisoxazole (Pediazole)
• thyroid medications, like Synthroid
• tolbutamide (Orinase)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Avandia. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Avandia

You should take Avandia exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do nottake Avandia in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow thedirections on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctorinstructs you to change your dose.

Avandia should be taken in the morning and in the evening.

Avandia can be taken with or without food.

While you are taking Avandia you will need to have your blood sugar checked regularly. Plan tosee your doctor often to be sure that Avandia is working for you.

You will need to check your blood sugar often, particularly during a time of illness, if youtravel, exercise more than usual, drink alcohol, skip meals or are under great stress. Thesefactors can affect your glucose levels. Tell your doctor if your levels are not where they shouldbe and you may need a dose adjustment of Avandia. Your doctor will decide if you need a dosagechange, and how much of a change you may need. Do not attempt to change your dose of Avandiawithout consulting your doctor first.

Be aware that Avandia is just part of a complete program of treatment to help your bloodsugar condition. Your doctor may prescribe a treatment plan for you which includes diet ,exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, and dental care, as well as regular testing ofyour blood sugar. You should follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Avandia should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Avandia you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose isless than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Avandia Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Avandia and seekemergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips,throat or tongue
• chest pain with a heavy feeling and pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, sweating
• clay colored stools
• dark urine
• easy bruising
• fever
• general ill feeling
• increased hunger or thirst
• jaundice or yellowing of your skin
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• pale skin
• rapid weight gain from swelling
• shortness of breath, even with mild exercise
• stomach pain
• urinating more than usual
• vision that is blurry
• weakness

Less serious side effects of Avandia may include:

• back pain
• cold symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or sore throat
• headache

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Avandia. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Avandia Description and Dosing

Avandia is available in oral tablet dosages, which are all pentagonal shaped and film-coatedTILTAB® tablets. The 2 mg tablet is pink and debossed with SB on one side and 2 on the otherside. The 4 mg tablet is orange and debossed with SB on one side and 4 on the other side. The 8mg tablet is red-brown and debossed with SB on one side and 8 on the other side.

Avandia is typically prescribed as a starting dose of 4 mg, to be taken either as a singledaily dose or in 2 divided doses. You should not exceed 8 mg daily of Avandia. Your doctor willdecide what dose of Avandia is right for you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose withoutyour physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Avandia you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Avandia

The main ingredient in Avandia is rosiglitazone maleate. The inactive ingredients areHypromellose 2910, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose,polyethylene glycol 3000, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and 1 or more ofthe following: Synthetic red and yellow iron oxides and talc.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.