Avandaryl (Rosiglitazone Maleate and Glimepiride) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 25, 2012

Avandaryl

Oral Diabetes Prescription Medications »

What are oral diabetes medications and how do they work?

Insulin is a hormone produced by cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Insulin helps the body use blood glucose (a type of sugar) for energy. People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin and/or their bodies do not respond well to it, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Oral diabetes medications bring blood sugar levels into the normal range through a variety of ways.

For what conditions are diabetes pills used?

Oral diabetes medications are only used to treat type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin for their treatment.

Are there differences among types of oral diabetes medications?

Medications that increase insulin production

The earliest oral diabetes drugs were the sulfonylureas. These work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insu...

Read the Oral Diabetes Prescription Medications article »

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Avandaryl Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?

Do not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you have advanced heart failure if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone should not be used together with nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Isochron), or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Tell your doctor if you regularly use this type of medication.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you have:

congestive heart failure or heart disease;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
liver disease;
kidney or adrenal gland disorders; or
eye problems caused by diabetes.

Taking certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with glimepiride and rosiglitazone.

Some women using glimepiride and rosiglitazone have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

Women may also be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take glimepiride and rosiglitazone with your first meal of the day.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need regular eye exams. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Your medication needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious infection, or if you have any type of surgery. Your doctor may want you to stop taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone for a short time if any of these situations affect you.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:

hunger, headache, confusion, irritability;
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors;
sweating, fast heartbeat;
seizure (convulsions); or
fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal).

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

Store glimepiride and rosiglitazone at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.

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