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rosiglitazone, Avandia

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GENERIC NAME: rosiglitazone

BRAND NAME: Avandia

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Rosiglitazone is an oral drug that reduces the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes and is in a class of anti-diabetic drugs called thiazolidinediones. The other member of this class is pioglitazone (Actos). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is important for controlling the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin stimulates the cells of the body to remove glucose from the blood and thereby lowers the level of glucose in the blood. Patients with type 2 diabetes cannot make enough insulin or are resistant to the effects of insulin (insulin resistance). As a result, the cells in their bodies do not remove enough glucose from the blood, and the level of glucose rises. Rosiglitazone often is referred to as an "insulin sensitizer" because it attaches to the insulin receptors on cells throughout the body and causes the cells to become more sensitive (more responsive) to insulin and remove more glucose from the blood. At least some insulin must be produced by the pancreas in order for rosiglitazone to work. Rosiglitazone was approved by the FDA in May 1999.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 2, 4, and 8 mg.

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Rosiglitazone, combined with diet and exercise is used for treating type 2 diabetes in patients who have not responded to other diabetic medications and cannot take pioglitazone (Actos). Rosiglitazone may be used alone or in combination with other types of antidiabetic drugs such as metformin (Glucophage) or sulfonylureas. Since it requires that individuals produce some insulin to be effective, rosiglitazone is not recommended for use in type I diabetes where the amount of insulin is very low or absent.

DOSING: Rosiglitazone may be taken once or twice daily, with or without meals. Daily doses range from 4 to 8 mg either with or without other antidiabetic medications. There is no additional benefit for doses greater than 8 mg per day.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Rifampin decreases concentrations in the blood of rosiglitazone by increasing its breakdown in the liver. Therefore, use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of rosiglitazone.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) increases the concentration of rosiglitazone in the blood by reducing its breakdown in the liver. Therefore, rosiglitazone may increase the side effects of rosiglitazone.

Rosiglitazone should not be combined with nitrates (for example, isosorbide dinitrate [Isordil Titradose, Dilatrate-SR, Isochron]). In clinical trials, the risk of chest pain and heart attacks was greater in individuals on nitrate therapy.

PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of rosiglitazone in pregnant women. Rosiglitazone crosses the placenta and is detectable in fetal tissue.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is unknown if rosiglitazone is secreted in breast milk. Therefore, the safety of rosiglitazone to nursing infants also is unknown.

SIDE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: The most common side effects seen with rosiglitazone alone or in combination with metformin are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, back pain, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar), fatigue, sinusitis, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).




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Suggested Reading on rosiglitazone, Avandia by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    • Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
      • Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
    • Diabetes Treatment
      • The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
    • Metabolic Syndrome
      • The main features of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertension (high blood pressure), cholesterol abnormalities, and an increased risk for clotting. Patients are most often overweight or obese. Lifestyle modification such as the Mediterranean diet, exercise, and quitting smoking are the preferred treatment of metabolic syndrome.
    • Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring
      • Managing your diabetes is important. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information is also provided in this article.
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Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

rosiglitazone, Avandia

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is ineffective. Insulin is produced and secreted by the pancreas and is needed for the proper storage and utilization of nutrients (glucose, proteins, and fat) by the cells of the body. Insulin allows nutrients to enter the cells of the body. For example, insulin allows cells to remove glucose from the blood, and the glucose is used to generate the energy that is necessary to fuel the activities of the cells. When insulin is absent or ineffective and the cells receive inadequate amounts of glucose, the body releases more glucose into the blood in an attempt to overcome the block to glucose entering the cells. The additional glucose cannot penetrate the cells, of course, and the glucose levels in the blood rise. High levels of blood and urine glucose is what causes the symptoms and signs of diabetes. For more, please re...

Read the Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring article »







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