WARNING
Congestive heart failure may be brought on by or made worse by rosiglitazone and other comparable diabetes medicines (condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the other parts of the body). In particular, if your heart failure is so severe that you must limit your activity and are only comfortable when you are at rest or you must be in a chair or bed, tell your doctor before you begin taking rosiglitazone if you have or have ever had congestive heart failure. Additionally, let your doctor know if you’ve ever experienced arm, hand, foot, ankle, or lower leg swelling as well as if you were born with a heart problem; heart disease, excessive blood pressure, coronary artery disease, a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat, or sleep apnea are all examples of conditions that might cause this. Your doctor may advise against using rosiglitazone or may closely watch you while you receive treatment.
Congestive heart failure can cause a variety of symptoms, which you might experience. If you experience any of the following symptoms, especially when you first begin taking rosiglitazone or after your dose has been increased, call your doctor right away. Large weight gain in a short period of time; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; swelling or pain in the stomach; awakening during the night short of breath; needing to sleep with extra pillows under your head in order to breathe while lying down; frequent dry cough; confusion; fast or racing heartbeat; inability to walk or exercise as well; or increased exhaustion.
You will get the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) from your doctor or pharmacist when you start taking rosiglitazone and each time you refill your prescription. If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. To obtain the Medication Guide, you can also go to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website.
Discuss the dangers of taking rosiglitazone with your doctor.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Type 2 diabetes is treated with rosiglitazone, a diet and exercise regimen, and occasionally one or more other drugs (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). The drug rosiglitazone belongs to the thiazolidinediones class of drugs. It functions by enhancing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, a naturally occurring chemical that aids with blood sugar regulation. Type 1 diabetes, in which the body does not create insulin and is consequently unable to control the quantity of sugar in the blood, and diabetic ketoacidosis are not treated with rosiglitazone (a serious condition that may occur if high blood sugar is not treated).
People with diabetes and high blood sugar over time may experience serious or fatal complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney issues, nerve damage, and vision issues. It may be possible to control your diabetes and enhance your health by taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and quitting smoking), and monitoring your blood sugar frequently. This treatment may also lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage (resulting in numb, cold legs or feet and diminished sex capacity in both men and women), eye issues, such as changes in eyesight or blindness, or gum disease, which are all symptoms of diabetes. The optimal strategy to manage your diabetes will be discussed with you by your doctor and other healthcare professionals.
How should this medicine be used?
An oral tablet is available for rosiglitazone. Usually, it is taken once or twice a day, with or without food. Every day, take rosiglitazone around the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Rosiglitazone should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.
Depending on how your body reacts to the drug after 8 to 12 weeks, your doctor may raise your rosiglitazone dosage.
Although it does not treat type 2 diabetes, rosiglitazone aids in its management. Your blood sugar may need to drop for two weeks before you start feeling the full effects of rosiglitazone, which might take three to six months or longer. Rosiglitazone should still be taken even if you are feeling OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking rosiglitazone.
Other uses for this medicine
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking rosiglitazone,
- If you have an allergy to rosiglitazone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rosiglitazone tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. For a list of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide or speak with your pharmacist.
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: rifampin, gemfibrozil (Lopid), insulin, other diabetes meds, high blood pressure medications, high cholesterol medications, heart failure medications, and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
- If you have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, diabetic eye disease such as macular edoema (swelling of the back of the eye), liver illness, or any other medical condition, let your doctor know. If you have ever taken troglitazone (Rezulin, no longer available in the United States), be sure to let your doctor know, especially if you discontinued due of negative effects.
- Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you get pregnant while taking rosiglitazone.
- You should be aware that rosiglitazone may enhance your probability of getting pregnant even if you do not have regular monthly periods or have a condition that prevents you from ovulating if you have not yet reached menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual cycles) (releasing an egg from the ovaries). Consult your doctor about birth control options that are right for you.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Make sure to abide by all dietary and exercise advice given to you by your physician or nutritionist. It’s crucial to maintain a nutritious diet, exercise frequently, and, if required, reduce weight. This will aid in managing your diabetes and enhance Rosiglitazone’s efficacy.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is due, skip the missing one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Your blood sugar levels may alter as a result of this drug. You should be aware of the signs of low and high blood sugar as well as what to do if you experience these signs.
Rosiglitazone could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:
- Headache
- Other cold symptoms, such as a runny nose
- Throat infection
- Back discomfort
Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms or any of those detailed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section:
- Back, neck, arm, jaw, or stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Started to get a cold sweat
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark faeces
- The skin or eyes turning yellow
- Alterations to vision
- Loss of vision
- Light skin
- Dizziness
- Eye, face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling
- Hoarseness
- Breathing or swallowing challenges
- Hives
- Itching
- Fever
- Blisters
Other negative effects of rosiglitazone are possible. If you encounter any odd issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.
If you use rosiglitazone, your risk of fracture may rise; these fractures typically occur in the upper arms, hands, or feet. Consult your doctor about the potential side effects of this medicine as well as measures to maintain bone health while you’re receiving treatment.
Your risk of fracture may increase if you take rosiglitazone; these fractures often affect the upper arms, hands, or feet. While you are having therapy, discuss with your doctor how to maintain bone health and any possible adverse effects of this medication.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).
As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org
Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4R m4p for additional information.
In case of emergency/overdose
Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.
What other information should I know?
Keep all of your appointments with the lab, your physician, and your eye physician. To monitor your body’s reaction to rosiglitazone, your doctor may likely request routine eye exams and specific laboratory testing. You should routinely monitor your blood sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin to see how rosiglitazone is working for you. Your physician might also advise you on how to measure your blood sugar levels at home in order to monitor your reaction to rosiglitazone. Pay close attention to these guidelines.
Wearing a diabetes identity bracelet will ensure that you receive the right care in an emergency.
No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.
You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Avandia®