What is Avandaryl?
Avandaryl is a combination of two oral diabetes medications, glimepiride (glimepiride) and rosiglitazone (rosiglitazone). These medicines help control blood sugar levels.Avandaryl can be used to treat type 2 diabetics. This medication does not treat type 1 diabetes.Avandaryl should not be used with insulin. Avandaryl can increase the risk of heart problems if you use insulin.
Warnings
Avandaryl should not be used if you suffer from severe or uncontrolled cardiac failure or are allergic to sulfa medications. This medicine should not be used if you have diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor to get insulin treatment.Avandaryl may cause or worsen congestive cardiac failure. Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath (even when doing mild exercise), swelling, or a rapid weight gain.
Prior to using this drug
Avandaryl should not be used if you have an allergy to glimepiride, rosiglitazone, or
- If you are suffering from advanced heart failure,
- If you have an allergy to sulfa medications,
- If you have diabetic ketoacidosis, call your doctor to get insulin.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Avandaryl will be safe for you:
- Heart disease, congestive failure, or a history of heart attack, stroke, etc.
- G6PD refers to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
- Diabetes can cause eye problems.
- Liver disease or kidney disease
- A pituitary or adrenal gland disorder
Avandaryl may increase the risk of bone fractures occuring in the upper arm or hand. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor.Avoid using Avandaryl while pregnant. Other diabetes medications can cause severe hypoglycemia in newborns whose mothers took the medication close to the time of birth. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.Avandaryl has caused some women to start menstruating again after a long period of not having one due to medical conditions. If your period returns, you may be able to get pregnant. Speak to your doctor about birth control.It is unknown if glimepiride or rosiglitazone can pass into breast milk or if they could harm a baby who is nursing. Avandaryl should not be taken while breastfeeding.
How do I take Avandaryl?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor may change your dosage from time to time in order to get you the best results. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it longer.Avandaryl is best taken with the first meal of each day.You may also need blood tests in your doctor's clinic.Everyone with diabetes can experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Headaches, thirst, sweating, and confusion are all symptoms of low blood sugar. Keep sugar on hand in case your blood sugar drops. Sugar can be found in fruit juices, hard candy, and crackers. Raisins, non-diet soda, and raisins are also sugar sources. Make sure you and your family know what to do in an emergency.Use a glucagon shot if you are suffering from severe hypoglycemia. You can get a glucagon injection kit from your doctor.You should check your blood sugar levels if you are stressed, travelling, ill, undergoing surgery or an emergency medical procedure, exercising vigorously, drinking alcohol, or skipping meals. Your glucose levels can be affected by these factors, and your dosage needs may change. Never change the Avandaryl dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor.Avandaryl is most effective when taken regularly. Refill your prescription before you run out.This medicine may be part of a larger treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and weight management, as well as blood sugar tests, eye exams, and other medical attention. You should follow your doctor's advice.Store Avandaryl away from heat, moisture, and light. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
Info on dosage
Adult dose of Avandaryl for Type 2 diabetes:Assess the risks and benefits of starting with monotherapy versus combination therapy.
Initial dose: Orally, rosiglitazone/glimepiride, 4 mg or 1 mg once daily.
Patients receiving a sulfonylurea: Consider a starting dosage of rosiglitazone (4 mg) or glimepiride (2 mg), orally, once daily.
Patients receiving rosiglitazone or glimepiride individually: The initial dose will be the combination product that contains the same dose for each component.
Dose Titration: Adjust based on the glycemic response of each component and any safety concerns.
Patients switching from rosiglitazone should titrate glimepiride in 2 mg increments after 1 or 2 weeks; rosiglitazone can be titrated 1 or 2 weeks after the increase.
Patients switching from sulfonylurea should titrate rosiglitazone 8–12 weeks after starting the medication. Allow 2-3 months for the full effects of this increase to be seen before titration is repeated.
Maximum dose: rosiglitazone 8 mg/glimepiride 4 mg
Comments: Best taken with the first meal of each day.
Monitor closely fluid-related adverse events, especially with the initiation of rosiglitazone and its titration.
If hypoglycemia is experienced, a dose reduction may be required for the glimepiride component.
Use: As an adjunct to diet, exercise, and glycemic management in adults with type 2 diabetes.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Avandaryl can cause hypoglycemia, which is life-threatening. Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222.Hypoglycemia can cause extreme weakness, blurred eyesight, sweating, and difficulty speaking. Other symptoms include tremors (stomach pain), confusion, seizures, and confusion.
Aviod this
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can cause your blood sugar to drop.Avoid tanning beds or exposure to sunlight. Sunburn can be exacerbated by this medication. Use sunscreen (SPF 30) and protective clothing when you're outdoors.
Side effects of Avandaryl
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an Avandaryl allergy: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat,
If you experience:
- Shortness of breath, swelling, and rapid weight gain (even when exercising lightly)
- Chest pain or a heavy feeling; pain that spreads to the jaw or arm; nausea, sweating, and a general feeling of unwellness;
- Pale skin, easily bruising, bleeding, or weakness
- Upper stomach pain, itching (itching), loss of appetite, dark-coloured urine, clay-coloured stool, jaundice
- Changes in your vision
- Severe skin reaction: fever, sore mouth, swelling of the face, tongue, or eyes, pain in the skin, followed by a rash (especially on the face and upper body), which is red or purple, and blisters and peels.
Avandaryl may cause side effects such as:
- Headache
- Cold symptoms include a stuffy nose, sneezing, and a sore throat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor if you use insulin. If you use insulin, taking Avandaryl may increase the risk of heart problems.Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop taking any of your current ones.
- Insulin;
- Heart or blood pressure medication;
- Cholesterol-lowering medicine.
This list isn't complete. Avandaryl can be affected by other medications. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamins, and other products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
