What is Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Do not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone should not be used together with nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Isochron), or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Tell your doctor if you regularly use this type of medication.

Before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, liver disease, kidney or adrenal gland disorders, or eye problems caused by diabetes.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone 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.

Take care not to let your blood sugar get too low, causing hypoglycemia. You may have hypoglycemia if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress.

Some women using glimepiride and rosiglitazone have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

Women may also be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.

Certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with glimepiride and rosiglitazone.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Do not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you have advanced heart failure if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone should not be used together with nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual, Nitrostat, Transderm-Nitro, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Isochron), or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Tell your doctor if you regularly use this type of medication.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a glimepiride and rosiglitazone dose adjustment or special tests:

• congestive heart failure or heart disease
• a history of heart attack or stroke
• an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD)
• liver disease
• kidney or adrenal gland disorders; or
• eye problems caused by diabetes

Certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with glimepiride and rosiglitazone.

Some women using glimepiride and rosiglitazone have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

Women may also be more likely than men to have bone fractures in the upper arm, hand, or foot while taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether glimepiride and rosiglitazone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..

It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avandaryl Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Stop using glimepiride and rosiglitazone 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:

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling or rapid weight gain
• pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating
• vision problems
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with speech or balance; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• sneezing, runny nose, cough or other signs of a cold
• headache
• dizziness
• vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; or
• mild itching or skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avandaryl Interactions

What other drugs affect Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Some medications may interact with glimepiride and rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• gemfibrozil (Gemcor)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
• fluconazole (Diflucan) or miconazole (Monistat)

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you take glimepiride and rosiglitazone with other drugs that can raise blood sugar, such as:

• isoniazid
• diuretics (water pills)
• steroids (prednisone and others)
• phenothiazines (Compazine and others)
• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others)
• birth control pills and other hormones
• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and
• diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you take glimepiride and rosiglitazone with other drugs that can lower blood sugar, such as:

• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and others
• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
• sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others)
• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
• beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
• probenecid (Benemid)

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with glimepiride and rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over the counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar.

Avandaryl Dosage

Avandaryl Dosage

How should I take Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take glimepiride and rosiglitazone with your first meal of the day.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. It is important to use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests and eye exams at your doctor’s office. Visit your doctor regularly.

Your dosage needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious infection, or if you have any type of surgery. Your doctor may want you to stop taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone for a short time if any of these situations affect you.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, tremor, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

If you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink, use an injection of glucagon. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a glucagon emergency injection kit and tell you how to give the injection.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of this medication can cause severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms may include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure, or coma.

What happens if I miss a dose of Avandaryl (Glimepiride Rosiglitazone)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com