Avandia (Rosiglitazone) from Maple Leaf Medications.


Avandia Medication Description

Avandia is used to manage blood-sugar levels in adults suffering from diabetes type II.

This medication is used along with a healthy diet and exercise routines to help treat and reduce the symptoms of diabetes. It is prescribed either on its own or with other diabetes drugs.

It works by improving the efficiency of insulin in the body. The active ingredient in Avandia is Rosiglitazone maleate, which acts on receptors in the body that decreases cells’ insulin resistance.

Avandia is a prescription drug used for people with type 2 diabetes, and is not intended for diabetes type I or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Warnings & Precautions

Myocardial Infarction:

Avandia can increase the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) for those who have a medical history of heart disease, heart failure, or a genetic predisposition to heart problems. This medication can cause fluid retention, which can lead to congestive heart failure or ischemic heart disease. Watch for signs of heart problems and fluid retention, including rapid weight gain, upper-abdominal pain, and edema (swelling of the feet or ankles).

Hypersensitivity:

If you have a known hypersensitivity to the active or non-active ingredients in this drug or any other similar medication, you should not use Avandia. Allergic reactions are medical emergencies. Immediately seek help from healthcare professionals if you notice hives or rashes forming, swelling occurring in the face, throat, or tongue, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Hepatic Impairment:

If you have a history of liver problems, including hepatic impairment or liver failure, it may affect how this drug interacts with your system. Talk to your doctor to find out if you require a dose adjustment or if another medication will work better for you.

You should also tell your doctor if you’ve ever had fluid in your lungs, retinal issues, anemia, edema, and bone-related conditions or diseases.

Driving or Operating Machinery:

Fluctuations in your blood sugar levels as your body adjust to this drug can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Driving, operating machinery, and any activity that requires full attention can be dangerous if your alertness becomes impaired, and as such, you should not engage in these activities when starting your treatment with this drug.

Visions changes:

It is normal for Avandia to cause changes in your vision. However, they should not last long, or be too severe. If you start noticing lingering or severe changes in vision or loss of visual acuity, it may be a sign of macular edema and you should talk to your doctor as soon as you can.

Avandia Side Effects

Avandia can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention or may not cause any side effects at all. If you have concerns about side effects, you should talk to your doctor about the risks involved.

If you encounter any of the following, seek emergency medical assistance immediately:

  • Extreme labored breathing
  • Rapid exhaustion from activity
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Alarming weight gain
  • Edema
  • Loss of appetite
  • Darkened or discolored urine
  • Jaundice
  • Blurred vision

Report side effects to your doctor if you notice any of the following:

  • Weakness and/or fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Generalized unwellness
  • Muscle tenderness
  • Muscle aches

Mild side effects include:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Fractures
  • Constipation
  • Cold-like symptoms
  • High blood sugar

Avandia Dosage

Most of the time, the initial dosage instructions require 4 mg to be taken per day. This can be divided into two separate doses or taken as one. Take no more of this medication than is recommended for you. The maximum daily dosage is 8 mg. Swallow pills whole, and take them with or without food around the same time each day.

Actos and Avandia

Both Avandia and Actos belong to a class of drugs called thiazolidinediones, and they both have identical indications and similar side effects, especially in the risk they pose to the heart. The chief differences are that Avandia increases LDL levels (the “bad” type of cholesterol) and that the cost of Actos is significantly lower than Avandia’s prices.

Storage

Store tablets at room temperature in a sealed container away from light.

Brand Name:

Avandia

Scientific Name:

Rosiglitazone

Other Names:

Avandia

Strength(s):

2mg

Quantities Available:

60, 120

Formulation:

Tablet

Maple Leaf Medications has provided information from third parties intended to increase awareness and does not contain all the information about Avandia (Rosiglitazone). Talk to your doctor or a qualified medical practitioner for medical attention, advice, or if you have any concerns about Avandia (Rosiglitazone).