What is Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

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

Metformin 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.

Metformin 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 Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Do not use metformin and rosiglitazone if you have severe heart failure, kidney disease, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

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

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into your veins, you will need to temporarily stop taking metformin and rosiglitazone. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using this medication.

Some people have developed a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis while taking metformin. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Do not use metformin and rosiglitazone if you have severe heart failure, kidney disease, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

Metformin may cause lactic acidosis (the build up of lactic acid in the body) that can start slowly and gradually get worse. Symptoms include muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis, even if they are only mild. Early signs of lactic acidosis generally get worse over time and this condition can be fatal.

You may be more likely to develop lactic acidosis if you have liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a serious infection, if you are dehydrated, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure or heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, liver disease, or eye problems caused by diabetes.

Some women using metformin 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 metformin and rosiglitazone. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about this possibility.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take metformin and rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether metformin and rosiglitazone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take metformin and rosiglitazone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Taking 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 metformin and rosiglitazone.

Avandamet Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Stop using metformin 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:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
sudden numbness, weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance
feeling short of breath, swelling or rapid weight gain
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; 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
back pain, joint or muscle pain; or
mild diarrhea

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.

Avandamet Interactions

What other drugs affect Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking metformin and rosiglitazone with other drugs that raise blood sugar:

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 are taking metformin and rosiglitazone with other drugs that lower blood sugar:

some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol)
sulfa drugs (Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, and others)
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or
probenecid (Benemid)

Some medications may interact with metformin and rosiglitazone:

gemfibrozil (Gemcor)
rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rimactane), vancomycin (Vancocin, Lyphocin)
nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl, Procanbid), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute)
cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac)
digoxin (Lanoxin); or
morphine (MS Contin, Kadian, Oramorph)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with metformin and rosiglitazone. 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.

What should I avoid while taking Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking metformin and rosiglitazone. Alcohol lowers blood sugar and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis while you are taking this medicine.

Avandamet Dosage

How should I take Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label

Take metformin and rosiglitazone with meals, especially during the first few weeks of therapy.

Your medication needs may change if you become sick or injured, if you have a serious infection, or if you have any type of surgery.

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.

Know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to recognize them:

hunger, headache, confusion, irritability
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors
sweating, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions); or
fainting, coma (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal)

Always keep a source of sugar available in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Sugar sources include orange juice, glucose gel, candy, or milk. 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.

Your doctor may have you take extra vitamin B12 while you are taking metformin and rosiglitazone. Take only the amount of vitamin B12 that your doctor has prescribed.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of metformin and rosiglitazone may cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms of lactic acidosis: muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea with vomiting, slow or uneven heart rate, dizziness, or feeling very weak or tired.

What happens if I miss a dose of Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember (be sure to take the medicine with food). If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Avandamet Metformin Rosiglitazone

Avandamet (Metformin Rosiglitazone)