Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone tablet

What are Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone tablets?

GLIMEPIRIDE; ROSIGLITAZONE (Avandaryl™) is a combination medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Drug therapy for diabetes should be combined with a balanced diet, weight loss, and exercise. This medicine lowers blood sugar and helps your body use insulin more efficiently. Generic glimepiride; rosiglitazone tablets are not yet available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• anemia

• heart problems such as heart attack or heart failure

• history of diabetic ketoacidosis

• hormone changes or problems

• kidney or liver problems

• major surgery

• polycystic ovaries

• serious infection or injury

• swelling of the arms, legs, or feet; water retention

• thyroid disease

• use insulin

• an unusual or allergic reaction to glimepiride, sulfonamides, rosiglitazone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Take glimepiride; rosiglitazone tablets by mouth, with the first meal of the day. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your dose at the same time each day. Do not take more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it with your next meal. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone?

• amiodarone

• aprepitant

• bosentan

• clopidogrel

• fluvoxamine

• montelukast

• nitrates like amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin

• other medicines for diabetes

• rifampin

• some medicines for seizures (examples: carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital)

• some medicines for fungal infections (examples: fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• warfarin

Many medications may cause changes (increase or decrease) in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages

• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril)

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• antiretroviral protease inhibitors (examples: indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs

• baclofen

• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples include atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)

• calcium channel blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems (examples: amlodipine, nifedipine)

• certain medicines used for mental depression, emotional, or psychotic disturbances

• chromium

• cisapride

• clonidine

• cyclosporine

• diazoxide

• disopyramide

• epinephrine

• female hormones, such as estrogens or progestins, birth control pills

• fibric acid derivatives, often used for high cholesterol (examples gemfibrozil and fenofibrate)

• growth hormone (somatropin)

• guanethidine

• isoniazid

• itraconazole

• lithium

• metoclopramide

• male hormones or anabolic steroids

• medications to suppress appetite or for weight loss

• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough

• niacin

• nicotine (including nicotine found in patches and gum)

• octreotide

• pentamidine

• quinolone antibiotics (examples: ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin)

• some herbal dietary supplements

• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone

• sulfonamides, medicines for infection ( examples: Azulfidine®, Bactrim®, Gantrisin® Septra®)

• tacrolimus

• tegaserod

• thyroid hormones

• water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to monitor your blood sugar regularly. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your blood sugar is high; you might need to change the dose of glimepiride; rosiglitazone. Do not skip meals. If you are exercising much more than usual, you might need extra snacks to avoid side effects caused by low blood sugar. Alcohol can increase possible side effects of glimepiride; rosiglitazone. Ask your prescriber or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. If you have mild symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your prescriber or health care professional. It is wise to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low. It is important to recognize your own symptoms of low blood sugar so that you can treat them quickly. Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat and drink when you have serious symptoms of low blood sugar such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

If you develop severe diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or are unable to maintain proper fluid intake, you should contact your prescriber. 'Sick-days' may require adjustments to your dosage or your illness may need to be evaluated. Ask your prescriber what you should do if you become ill.

Glimepiride can increase the sensitivity of your skin to the sun. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen when taking glimepiride; rosiglitazone. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking glimepiride; rosiglitazone.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• anxiety or nervousness, confusion, difficulty concentrating

• blurred vision

• breathing difficulties or excessive phlegm

• changes in vision

• cold sweats, increased sweating

• cool, pale skin

• coughing up blood

• dark yellow or brown urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin

• dizziness, drowsiness

• excessive hunger

• fast heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain

• fever, chills, sore throat

• muscle pain

• nausea, vomiting

• rapid gain in weight

• seizures (convulsions)

• skin rash, redness, swelling, or itching.

• slow heartbeat

• swelling of the hands, legs, and/or feet

• tremor or shakiness

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• back ache

• diarrhea

• headache

• heartburn, stomach discomfort

• increased sensitivity to the sun

• slow weight gain

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from moisture and light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

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