Avandia
Generic Name:
Rosiglitazone maleate
Brand Names:
Avandia
Avandia Description:
Avandia is used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset, non-insulin dependent diabetes. Avandia controls high blood sugar by helping the body to utilize insulin more effectively. The medication is part of a total diabetes treatment plan that may include other diabetes medications, as well as changes in diet and exercise to manage weight.
Avandia should not be used to treat patients with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis or those 18 years of age or younger.
If you have experienced serious side effects following the use of Avandia you may have legal options to seek compensation to cover the cost of medical expenses, pain and suffering. For additional information about Avandia lawsuits, please call 1-800-439-8180 or fill out the form on this page.
Avandia Side Effects:
Avandia may cause serious health conditions such as heart-related complications or liver conditions. If you experience any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately:
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Changes in vision
- Vomiting
- Dark urine
- Weight gain
- Fractures or broken bones
- Unusual fatigue
- Nausea
- Swelling around the ankles or legs
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
For more information, see our Avandia side effects page.
Avandia Uses:
Patients with type 2 diabetes may administer Avandia to control blood sugar levels. Avandia can give diabetic patients more control over the disease by helping the body use its own natural insulin more effectively. High blood sugar that is left uncontrolled can lead to diabetic complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure or amputation of a limb.
It is not recommended to combine Avandia treatment with insulin or nitrate medications.
Avandia Interactions:
The risk of heart-related chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction) may be increased if Avandia is used in combination with insulin or nitrate medications such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide. Patients should avoid taking these medications while undergoing treatment with Avandia.
Patients should also avoid administering this medication in combination with medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, high blood pressue or the prevention of heart disease without talking with their doctor.
Avandia may interact with the following medications and supplements:
- Bitter melon
- Fenugreek
- Gemfibrozil
- Glucomannan
- Guar gum
- Psyllium
- Rifampin
- St. John’s Wort
- Trimethoprim
Avandia Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Avandia is typically prescribed as an initial dosage of 4 mg per day, taken in one dose. This medication may be taken in smaller doses and may be administered as 2 mg twice per day. The dosage may be increased after eight to 12 weeks of treatment to 8 mg once a day, or 4 mg twice per day. Doses can be taken with food or without food.
Missing a Dose of Avandia
Patients who miss a dose of Avandia should take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, patients should not take the missed dose and administer the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Patients should not administer double doses of this medication.
Avandia Overdose
If you think you have overdosed on Avandia, seek immediate medical attention.
Avandia FDA Approval:
May 25, 1999
Avandia Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There is a Black Box warning on Avandia concerning the risk of congestive heart failure and myocardial ischemia. Avandia and other thiazolidinedione anti-diabetic medications may cause or worsen congestive heart failure in certain patients. At the beginning of Avandia treatment and after dose increases, patients should be observed for signs of heart failure which include rapid weight gain, swelling or difficulty breathing.
Avandia should not be taken by patients who have heart failure with even mild symptoms, and especially not by those with established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure.
Avandia is associated with an increased risk of myocardial ischemic events including chest pain (angina) and heart attack.
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