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In this Article

• What is rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• What are the possible side effects of rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• What is the most important information I should know about rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• How should I take rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Avandia)?
• What happens if I overdose (Avandia)?
• What should I avoid while taking rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• What other drugs will affect rosiglitazone (Avandia)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Avandia)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Avandia)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as hunger, headache, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking rosiglitazone (Avandia)?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking rosiglitazone. Alcohol lowers blood sugar and may increase the risk of hypoglycemia while you are taking this medicine.

What other drugs will affect rosiglitazone (Avandia)?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking rosiglitazone with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

• isoniazid;
• diuretics (water pills);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);
• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);
• birth control pills and other hormones;
• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
• diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking rosiglitazone with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
• sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);
• beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
• probenecid (Benemid).

Some medications may interact with rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• gemfibrozil (Gemcor);
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rimactane); or
• a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about rosiglitazone written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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