Rosiglitazone (By Mouth)

Rosiglitazone (roh-si-GLI-ta-zone)

Treats type 2 diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) by helping your body use insulin correctly. It may be used alone or with other medicines to treat diabetes.

Brand Name(s):

Avandia
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to rosiglitazone.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to. To keep your diabetes under control, follow your doctor's orders regarding diet, exercise, and testing your urine or blood for sugar.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• It may take up to 2 weeks for this medicine to start lowering your blood sugar. It may be 2 to 3 months before you get the full effect from the medicine.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other diabetes medicine (such as glyburide, Amaryl®, Actos™, Glipizide®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart problems or liver disease.
• If you are a woman and have not been ovulating, this medicine may cause you to start ovulating again. This could increase your chance of becoming pregnant, and you may need to use birth control. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about this.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• If you also use another diabetes medicine, you may have a low blood sugar reaction after you start taking rosiglitazone, especially if you miss a meal, exercise for a long time, or drink alcohol. Fever, surgery, or an infection may also cause changes in blood sugar.
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, trouble concentrating, or a headache that won't go away.
• Make sure you know what to do if your blood sugar gets too low. Teach your friends, co-workers, and family members what they can do to help you if you have low blood sugar.
• You can sometimes treat low blood sugar by eating some form of quick-acting sugar. Good sources of sugar include glucose tablets or gel, fruit juice or non-diet soft drink, corn syrup, candy, honey, sugar cubes, or table sugar dissolved in water.
• Tell your doctor if you begin to have more problems than usual with low blood sugar. Do not make any changes in the medicines you use without asking your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Mild swelling in hands or feet
• Stomach pain with nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Swelling in your hands, arms, legs, feet, or face
• Trouble breathing
• Weight gain
• Yellow skin or eyes, dark colored urine

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Cough, runny nose, sneezing
• Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.