What is the most important information I should know about Avandia?

• Before taking Avandia, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease. While using this medication, call your doctor at once if you have any signs of liver problems. This includes sudden stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), or dark urine.
• Avandia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.
• Some women using Avandia have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to menopause or a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

What is Avandia?

• Avandia is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas.
• Avandia is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections.
• Avandia may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avandia?

• Before taking Avandia, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have:
  • heart failure or heart disease;
  • edema (water retention or swelling);
  • kidney disease; or
  • type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.
• You may not be able to take Avandia, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Some women using Avandia have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to menopause or a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.
• Avandia is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known if it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether Avandia can pass into breast milk. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Avandia?

• Avandia should be used exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.
• If you take this medication more than once daily, take it with your morning and evening meals.
• Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Your blood sugar may not come under control until you have been using this medication for at least 2 weeks. It may take 2 or 3 months before you get the full benefits of treatment.
• 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. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
• Avandia is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Your doctor may also recommend other medications such as Diabeta, Glucotrol, Micronase, Glucophage, or insulin if you need greater blood sugar control.
• Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. Know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which include headache, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.
• Store Avandia at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
• Symptoms of a Avandia overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking Avandia?

• Do not use insulin with Avandia unless your doctor instructs you to.
• Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.

What are the possible side effects of Avandia?

• Stop using Avandia and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • signs of congestive heart failure (swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, chest pain);
  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite;
  • unusual tiredness;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • dark urine.
• Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue using Avandia and talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:
  • easy bruising, pale skin; or
  • sore throat, nasal discharge, cough, cold symptoms.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Avandia?

• Some medications may interact with Avandia. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
  • gemfibrozil (Gemcor); or
  • rifampin (Rifater, Rimactane).
• If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take Avandia, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
• There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Avandia. 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.