Known with the generic name rosiglitazone, Avandia is a drug that reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs called "thiazolidinediones" that are used in the treatment of type II diabetes. The other member in this class is pioglitazone (Actos). (Another member of this class, troglitazone or Rezulin, was removed from the market because of liver toxicity.) As patients with type II diabetes cannot make enough insulin, the cells of their body do not respond normally to the reduced amounts of insulin that are present. (Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates cells to remove glucose from the blood.) Often referred to as an "insulin sensitizer", Rosiglitazone attaches to the insulin receptors on cells throughout the body and causes the cells to become more sensitive (more responsive) to insulin. Due to this, more glucose is removed from the blood. Moreover, some insulin must be produced by the pancreas in order for rosiglitazone to function. Rosiglitazone was approved by the FDA on May 28, 1999.
Medications and Prescriptions
Generic name: Rosiglitazone maleate
Product Brand Name: Avandia ®
1. Why is this drug prescribed?
Avandia is prescribed to retain 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. The buildup of sugar in the blood is often due not to a lack of insulin in type 2 diabetes, 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. A new type of diabetes medication, Avandia can be used alone or in conjunction with metformin (Glucophage) or a member of the sulfonylurea class of diabetes drugs (Diabinese, Micronase, Orinase). It takes effect slowly such that 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.
2. Most important fact about this drug
It should be kept in mind that Avandia is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet, weight loss, and exercise. If you fail to follow a sound diet and exercise plan, it may lead to serious complications, such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Also remember that Avandia is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin.
3. How should you take this medication?
Avandia 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, consume it immediately when you remember. If it is the time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and continue with your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at once.
Storage instructions:
Avandia should be stored at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container.
4. What side effects may occur?
You cannot anticipate the side effects. However, if you find any change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Avandia.
More common side effects may include:
Back pain, fatigue, headache, high blood sugar, respiratory tract infections, sinus inflammation and swelling
Less common side effects may include:
Anemia (low blood cell count) and diarrhea
Rare side effects may include:
Congestive heart failure and low blood sugar
5. Why should this drug not be prescribed?
You may avoid taking Avandia if it has ever given you an allergic reaction.
6. Special warnings about this medication:
You should not take Avandia if you have liver disease. Your doctor will check to make sure your liver function is normal before prescribing Avandia, and then recheck it every 2 months for the first 12 months and periodically thereafter. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and dark urine are some of the warning signs of liver damage. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms. You may need to discontinue treatment with Avandia. Some people who take Avandia in combination with other diabetes drugs sometimes develop low blood sugar. If this happens, check with your doctor so that the dosage of the other diabetes drug may have to be reduced. Patients with kidney problems can take Avandia, but should not take Glucophage. If you have poor kidney function, you'll be unable to take advantage of this combination. Since Avandia can increase the chances of conception, you can use some form of birth control if you don't want a pregnancy. Avandia won't help type 1 diabetics, who are unable to produce any insulin at all. Insulin shots are a necessity for this form of the illness. Nor can Avandia relieve diabetic ketoacidosis (excessively high sugar levels due to lack of insulin). If you have a problem with fluid retention or swelling, use Avandia with caution. The drug has been known to cause this problem, which in turn can lead to heart failure. Avandia should be avoided by anyone who has been diagnosed with heart failure, and it should be discontinued by anyone who develops it. Ensure that the doctor is aware of any heart problems you may have. If you feel any symptoms of heart failure such as fatigue and shortness of breath, alert him immediately. You should be aware that people taking Avandia tend to gain a little weight, typically around 5 to 10 pounds. The cause is thought to be a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation. Avandia is not suitable for children under 18.
7. Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication:
Avandia cannot be interacted with any other drug at this time.
8. Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding:
Though the safety of Avandia during pregnancy remains unproven, it is important to maintain normal blood sugar levels while pregnant. Since insulin shots are known to be safe, your doctor may switch you from Avandia to insulin until the baby is born. As it is not aware that Avandia appears in breast milk, the safest bet is to avoid taking Avandia while nursing.
9. Recommended dosage:
ADULTS
Usually, the starting dose of Avandia either alone or in combination with another diabetes drug is 4 milligrams once a day or 2 milligrams twice a day. The doctor may increase your dose to 8 milligrams once a day or 4 milligrams twice a day, if your sugar levels remain too high after 12 weeks of treatment.
10. Overdosage:
There is no information on the potential results of Avandia overdose and any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose.
It is vital that you should consult your doctor before starting to take this medicine. Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.
Avandia generic notes
Avandia is prescribed for reducing the amount of glucose in the blood. Used in treating type II diabetes, this medicine belongs to the class of anti-diabetic drugs known as "thiazolidinediones". The other members in this class are pioglitazone (Actos) and troglitazone or Rezulin. Rosiglitazone, also termed as "insulin sensitizer", aids in attaching to the insulin receptors on cells throughout the body, thereby causing the cells to become more sensitive to insulin. Thus, glucose is removed from the blood. Some insulin is produced by the pancreas for rosiglitazone to function.
There are a number of Avandia side effects and Avandia warning reported so far. As per the Avandia news, some common side effects of the drug include fatigue, respiratory tract infections, high blood sugar, sinus inflammation, swelling, back pain and headache,. Rare side effects include congestive heart failure and low blood sugar. Those suffering from heart problems and people having liver disease and poor kidney function are not supposed to take this drug. The avandia should not be taken by children under 18. The medicine should be consumed as per the avandia prescription information. The high avandia dosage can result in serious consequences. The starting dosage of the drug should be 4 milligrams once a day or 2 milligrams twice a day.
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