Rosiglitazone/metformin (By mouth)

Introduction:

Metformin Hydrochloride (met-FOR-min hye-droe-KLOR-ide), Rosiglitazone Maleate (roe-zi-GLI-ta-zone MAL-ee-ate)

Treats type 2 diabetes. Used together with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar.

Brand Name(s):

Avandamet

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• If you also use insulin, continue using it at the same dose unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
• It may take up to 2 weeks for this medicine to start lowering your blood sugar. It may be 2 to 3 months before you get the full effect from the medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using other medicines to treat your diabetes (such as insulin), nitrate medicines (such as isosorbide, nitroglycerin, Imdur®, Isordil®, Nitrostat®, or Tridil®), gemfibrozil (Lopid®), nifedipine (such as Adalat® or Procardia®), or rifampin (such as Rifadin® or Rimactane®). Tell your doctor if you are also using diuretics or "water pills" (such as furosemide or Lasix®), heart rhythm medicines, hormone replacement, steroids, thyroid replacement, or medicine for seizures.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have any kind of heart disease, heart failure, high cholesterol, or a history of heart attack. Also tell your doctor if you have liver disease, fragile bones (especially women), or liver problems caused by using troglitazone (Rezulin®).
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. You will also need to check your blood sugar regularly at home.
• Women: If you have had problems ovulating before, this medicine may cause you to ovulate. This could increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about this.
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that will not go away. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or below, do one of the following: Drink 4 ounces (one-half cup) of fruit juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Re-check your blood sugar 15 minutes later. If your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dL, eat a snack or a meal. If your blood sugar is still below 70 mg/dL, drink one-half cup juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Carry candy or some type of sugar with you at all times, especially if you are away from home. You can take this if you feel that your blood sugar is too low, even if you do not have a blood glucose meter. Always carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how to treat your low blood sugar. Learn what to do if your blood sugar gets too low. Teach friends, co-workers, and family members what they can do to help if you have low blood sugar.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Changes in vision.
• Chest pain, which may spread to your arm, jaw, or back.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Extreme weakness, tiredness, or confusion.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Rapid breathing, trouble breathing, and muscle pain.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweats, and bluish-colored skin.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Cough, runny nose, sneezing, or sore throat.
• Feeling irritable, lightheaded, or very tired.
• Headache.
• Mild skin rash or itching.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: