Avandamet (Rosiglitazone/Metformin)

Avandamet is used for improving blood sugar levels, with diet and exercise, in patients with type 2 diabetes who are already being treated with both of these medicines or who are not adequately controlled on metformin alone.

Take Avandamet by mouth, usually once or twice daily with a meal, or as directed by your doctor.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.

Remember to use it at the same time(s) each day. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Avandamet combines two medicines to treat type 2 diabetes - rosiglitazone and metformin - in one convenient pill. Along with eating healthy and staying active, Avandamet can help you control your blood sugar.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage from 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Avandamet . Actions of Avandamet , such as lowering blood sugar, may be increased if excessive alcohol is consumed while taking Avandamet .

Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using Avandamet .

Carry an identification card at all times that says you are diabetic. Avandamet usually does not cause low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, but this effect may occur if you do not consume enough calories from food, juices, fruit, or other sources. To prevent low blood sugar eat meals on a regular schedule and do not skip meals.

During times of stress, such as fever, infection, injury or surgery, it may be more difficult to control your blood sugar. Consult your doctor, as a change in your medicine may be required.

Symptoms of high blood sugar or hyperglycemia include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your medication dosage may need to be increased.

Lab tests, including liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c), or complete blood cell counts, may be needed to check your progress or to monitor for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab test appointments.

Use Avandamet with caution in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.

Use Avandamet with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.

Avandamet may cause ovulation in women who have not reached menopause but do not ovulate. Be sure to use adequate contraception (birth control) while using Avandamet . In women of childbearing age, it is important to consider birth control methods while taking Avandamet .

If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Avandamet during pregnancy. Insulin therapy may be preferred to control blood sugar during pregnancy. Discuss your treatment options with your doctor.

Do not breast-feed while taking Avandamet .

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• attention disturbance; blurred vision; changes in weight; clumsiness; constipation; decreased appetite; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flu; headache; impaired coordination/balance; increased salivation; joint pain; lightheadedness; nausea; nervousness; pounding in the chest; rapid heartbeat; restlessness; skin inflammation; sleeplessness; sweating; unsteadiness; unusual weakness; vomiting; weakness.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); depression; fainting; involuntary movements; memory impairment.

You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Avandamet that is written for healthcare providers. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a patient information leaflet.

Do not use Avandamet for a condition for which it was not prescribed.

Do not share your medicine with other people.