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Brand Names: Avandaryl

Generic Name: glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Pronunciation: glye MEP ir ide and ROE si GLI ta zone)

• What is glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• What are the possible side effects of glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• How should I take glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Avandaryl)?
• What happens if I overdose (Avandaryl)?
• What should I avoid while taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• What other drugs will affect glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?

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. This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes. Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is not recommended for use with insulin.

Taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, glimepiride and rosiglitazone is available only to certain people with type 2 diabetes that cannot be controlled with other diabetes medications.

Glimepiride and rosiglitazone is available only under a special program called Avandia-Rosiglitazone Medicines Access Program. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the risks and benefits of taking this medication.

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

Avandaryl 1 mg-4 mg

triangular, yellow, imprinted with gsk, 4/1

Avandaryl 2 mg-4 mg

triangular, orange, imprinted with gsk, 4/2

Avandaryl 4mg-4 mg

triangular, pink, imprinted with gsk, 4/4

What are the possible side effects of glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult 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, fever, confusion or weakness;
• changes in your vision;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• gradual weight gain; or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride and rosiglitazone (Avandaryl)?

Taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone may increase your risk of serious heart problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, glimepiride and rosiglitazone is available only to certain people with type 2 diabetes that cannot be controlled with other diabetes medications.

Do not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you have type 1 diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

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 or kidney disease, an enzyme deficiency called G6PD, adrenal or pituitary gland disorders, or eye problems caused by diabetes.

Women may 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.

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