Avandia is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Avandia helps to reduce your blood sugar towards a normal level, by helping your body make better use of the insulin it produces. Avandia can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat diabetes (such as Glucophage or Amaryl).

Why have I been prescribed Avandia?

Avandia is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Avandia helps to reduce your blood sugar towards a normal level, by helping your body make better use of the insulin it produces. Avandia can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat diabetes (such as Glucophage or Amaryl).

How does it work?

Avandia makes your body more sensitive to the insulin it produces thereby increasing the uptake and utilisation of glucose.

When and how do I take it?

  • Rosiglitazone may be given once or twice a day.
  • Swallow the tablets with some water. You can take Avandia with or without food. Take your tablets around the same time every day and follow any dietary advice that your doctor has given you.

What’s the dose?

Avandia therapy is usually initiated at 4 mg/day. This dose can be increased to 8 mg/day after eight weeks if greater glycaemic control is required.

Could they interact with other tablets?

  • Phenytoin
  • carbamazepine
  • phenobarbital
  • St John's wort
  • rifampicin
  • gemfibrozi

can all have an affect Amaryl therefore you should always tell your doctor/ pharmacist you are taking Amaryl.

Herbal supplements should be used with caution and only after informing your doctor first.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Common side effects include:

  • Chest pain (angina)
  • broken bones
  • reduction in blood count (anaemia)
  • small increases in blood cholesterol
  • increased amount of fats in the blood
  • increased weight
  • increased appetite
  • constipation swelling (oedema) due to water retention
  • Hypoglycaemia may also be a risk (low blood sugar levels) especially if taking Avandia with other anti diabetic medications.

Possible symptoms of hypoglycaemia include:

  • headache
  • ravenous hunger
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • lassitude
  • sleepiness
  • disordered sleep
  • restlessness
  • aggressiveness
  • impaired concentration
  • alertness and reaction time
  • depression
  • confusion
  • speech and visual disorders
  • aphasia
  • tremor
  • paresis
  • sensory disturbances
  • dizziness
  • helplessness
  • loss of self-control
  • delirium
  • cerebral convulsions
  • somnolence and loss of consciousness up to and including coma
  • shallow respiration and bradycardia.

In addition, signs of adrenergic counter-regulation may be present such as sweating, clammy skin, anxiety, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias.

Symptoms can almost always be promptly controlled by immediate intake carbohydrates (sugar). Artificial sweeteners have no effect.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Avandia. However you should ask your doctor/pharmacist first as this may depend on what other tablets you are taking.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Avandia should not be used during pregnancy. Avandia should not be used in women who are breast-feeding.


If you have any further questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note:
We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiazolidinedione

http://www.drugs.com/avandia.html

http://www.drugwatch.com/avandia/

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm376516.htm

http://www.rxlist.com/avandia-drug.htm


 

Health Reference: Diabetes - Type 2