Avandia

The dose of Avandia (Rosiglitazone) will vary according to the circumstances of the person taking it. The average starting dose is 4 mg once daily or 2 mg twice daily. After 8 to 12 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose to 8 mg once daily or 4 mg twice daily, if necessary.

Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Avandia (Rosiglitazone) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose,skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

It is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding blood glucose monitoring to ensure that you get the maximum benefit from the medication.

Store Avandia (Rosiglitazone) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

2 mg
Each pink, pentagonal, film-coated TILTAB tablet debossed with "SB" or "GSK" on one side and "2" on the other contains Avandia (Rosiglitazone) maleate equivalent to 2 mg of Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3000, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin; colorant: one or more of the following: synthetic red and yellow iron oxides and talc.

4 mg
Each orange, pentagonal, film-coated TILTAB tablet debossed with "SB" or "GSK" on one side and "4" on the other contains Avandia (Rosiglitazone) maleate equivalent to 4 mg of Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3000, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin; colorant: one or more of the following: synthetic red and yellow iron oxides and talc.

8 mg
Each red-brown, pentagonal, film-coated TILTAB tablet debossed with "SB" or "GSK" on one side and "8" on the other contains Avandia (Rosiglitazone) maleate equivalent to 8 mg of Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3000, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide, and triacetin; colorant: one or more of the following: synthetic red and yellow iron oxides and talc.

Do not take Avandia (Rosiglitazone) if you:

• are allergic to Avandia (Rosiglitazone) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant
• have heart failure or heart problems or a history of heart failure or heart problems
• have serious liver function impairment

There may be an interaction between Avandia (Rosiglitazone) and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Amiodarone
• androgens (e.g., methyltestosterone, nandrolone, testosterone)
• atypical antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, secobarbital)
• Carbamazepine
• Celecoxib
• chloroquine
• Cholestyramine
• Clopidogrel
• corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• Dabrafenib
• other diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glipizide, glyburide, insulin, metformin, Avandia (Rosiglitazone))
• Disopyramide
• Deferasirox
• Eltrombopag
• Enzalutamide
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Felodipine
• Gemfibrozil
• Glucagon
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Irbesartan
• Lanreotide
• Lapatinib
• Leflunomide
• loop diuretics (e.g., bumetanide, Furosemide)
• Losartan
• Methotrexate
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• mycophenolate
• Niacin
• Nilotinib
• nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate)
• Octreotide
• Paclitaxel
• Pasireotide
• Pegvisomant
• Phenytoin
• Pregabalin
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• primadone
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• Rabeprazole
• rifampin
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• somatostatin acetate
• Somatropin
• Sorafenib
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• Tamoxifen
• thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• tretinoin
• Trimethoprim
• Vorinostat
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Avandia (Rosiglitazone).

Fluid retention and heart failure: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) can cause fluid buildup in the body, which may lead to heart failure. Your doctor will monitor you for these problems. If you develop fluid buildup or swelling, shortness of breath, fatigue, or excessive weight gain while taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone), contact your doctor immediately. People with a history of heart failure should not take Avandia (Rosiglitazone).

Since the risk of heart failure and fluid buildup increases when Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is used with other antidiabetes medications, Avandia (Rosiglitazone) should only be used alone or in combination with a sulfonylurea (such as Glyburide or Gliclazide) OR Metformin, but not with other diabetes medications (such as insulin), and not with both a sulfonylurea AND metformin together.

Fractures: Women taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may be at an increased risk of bone fractures, especially of the upper arm, hand, and foot. Discuss the risk and benefits of using Avandia (Rosiglitazone) with your doctor.

Heart attack and chest pain: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) can increase the risk of chest pain (Angina) and heart attacks. If you have underlying heart disease, or are at a high risk of heart attack, discuss the risks and benefits of using Avandia (Rosiglitazone) with your doctor. Avandia (Rosiglitazone) is not recommended for people who take nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate), which are used to relieve chest pain.

Liver: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may cause liver damage. Your doctor will monitor your liver function while you are taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Report any signs of liver problems to your doctor at once. These signs include:

• abdominal or stomach pain
• dark urine
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellow eyes or skin

Loss of blood glucose control: Loss of blood glucose control can occur during times of acute stress such as Fever, trauma, infection, or surgery. During these times, your doctor may temporarily stop Avandia (Rosiglitazone) and use insulin until you have recovered.

Ovulation: Some women using Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may start having menstrual periods, even after not having a period due to a medical condition (e.g., Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). As a result, you could get pregnant while taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Talk to your doctor about the need for birth control.

Vision: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) may cause swelling of the Retin A in the eye. If you experience any vision changes while taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone), contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Avandia (Rosiglitazone) should not be used during pregnancy. Usually insulin is used to control high blood sugars during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Avandia (Rosiglitazone) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Avandia (Rosiglitazone) have not been established for children less than 18 years of age.