Home Page > Categories > Diabetes > Rosiglitazone Maleate

Rosiglitazone Maleate

 

Rosiglitazone Maleate (generic Avandia) Review

brand name: Avandia
generic names: Rosiglitazone, metformin hydrochloride, Rosiglitazone maleate

Why is Avandia prescribed?

Avandia is used to hold down blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (also known as "non-insulin dependent" or "adult onset" diabetes).

Blood sugar levels are ordinarily controlled by the body's natural supply of insulin, which helps sugar move out of the bloodstream and into the cells. In type 2 diabetes, the buildup of sugar in the blood is often due not to a lack of insulin, but to the body's inability to make proper use of it. Avandia works first by decreasing sugar production, then by helping the body make more efficient use of whatever insulin is available. It does not increase the actual amount of insulin in circulation.

Avandia is a new type of diabetes medication. It can be used alone or in conjunction with insulin, metformin (Glucophage), or a member of the sulfonylurea class of diabetes drugs (Diabinese, Micronase, Orinase). It takes effect slowly. You may not see a reduction in blood sugar levels for the first 2 weeks of therapy, and it may take 2 to 3 months for the medication to deliver maximum results.

How should you take Avandia (Rosiglitazone)?

Your dose of Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may be taken once a day in the morning or divided in half and taken in the morning and evening, with or without food.

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•heart problems
•history of diabetic ketoacidosis
•kidney or liver problems
•swelling of the arms, other medicines, foods, dyes, or feet
•an unusual or allergic reaction to rosiglitazone, legs

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Swelling of the back of the eye (macular oedema)
  
  
• Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
  
  
• Abnormal liver function
  
  
• Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
  
  
• Heart failure
  
  
• Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)
  
  
• Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
  
  
• Pain in the muscles
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Increased appetite
  
  
• Weight gain
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Increase in the level of fats, eg cholesterol, in the blood (hyperlipidaemia)
  
  
• Low red blood cell count (anaemia)
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
  
  
• Low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia)
  
  

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Rosiglitazone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using rosiglitazone and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness.
• increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual; or
• blurred vision;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

Continue taking this medication and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• back pain.
• mild diarrhea; or
• gradual weight gain;
• headache;
• sneezing, runny nose, cough or other signs of a cold;

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

The usual starting dose of Avandia (Rosiglitazone) either alone or in combination with insulin or another diabetes drug is 4 milligrams once a day or 2 milligrams twice a day. If your sugar levels remain too high after 12 weeks of treatment, the doctor may increase your dose to 8 milligrams once a day or 4 milligrams twice a day. However, the maximum recommended dose of Avandia (Maleate) in combination with insulin or a sulfonylurea diabetes drug is 4 milligrams per day. If you do develop low blood sugar, your insulin or sulfonylurea drug dosage will need to be decreased by your doctor.