Glimepiride/rosiglitazone (By mouth)

Introduction

Glimepiride (GLYE-me-pye-ride), Rosiglitazone Maleate (roh-si-GLI-ta-zone MAL-ee-ate)

Treats type 2 diabetes. Used together with proper diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar.

Brand Name(s)

Avandaryl

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to glimepiride or rosiglitazone, or if you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or severe heart failure.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine with the first meal of the day.
• It may take up to 2 weeks for this medicine to start lowering your blood sugar. It may be 2 to 3 months before you get the full effect from the medicine.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using other medicines to treat your diabetes (such as insulin), nitrate medicines (such as isosorbide, nitroglycerin, Imdur®, Isordil®, Nitrostat®, or Tridil®), beta-blocker medicines (such as metoprolol, propranolol, Inderal®, Lopressor®, or Tenormin®), pain or arthritis medicines (such as aspirin, Advil®, or Celebrex®), gemfibrozil (Lopid®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), isoniazid, nicotinic acid, or cotrimoxazole (such as Bactrim®, Cotrim®, or Septra®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using chloramphenicol, warfarin (Coumadin®), probenecid, phenytoin (Dilantin®), steroids (such as methylprednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), or phenothiazines (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Phenergan®, or Thorazine®). Tell your doctor if you are also using certain cough and cold medicines (such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, Neo-Synephrine®, Sudafed®, Sudafed® PE, or Sudodrine®), miconazole (Lotrimin® AF, Monistat® 3), fluconazole (Diflucan®), hormone replacement therapy, thyroid replacement therapy, diuretics or water pills (such as Lasix® or Dyazide®), birth control pills, or a MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have any kind of heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart attack. Also tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, an adrenal gland disorder, a pituitary gland disorder, an eye disease such as macular edema (swelling of the back of the eye), or fragile bones (especially women).
• Women: If you have had problems ovulating before, this medicine may cause you to ovulate. This could increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about this.
• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that will not go away. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), check your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or below, do one of the following: Drink 4 ounces (one-half cup) of fruit juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Re-check your blood sugar 15 minutes later. If your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dL, eat a snack or a meal. If your blood sugar is still below 70 mg/dL, drink one-half cup juice, or eat 5 to 6 pieces of candy, or take 2 to 3 glucose tablets. Carry candy or some type of sugar with you at all times, especially if you are away from home. You can take this if you feel that your blood sugar is too low, even if you do not have a blood glucose meter. Always carefully follow your doctor's instructions about how to treat your low blood sugar. Learn what to do if your blood sugar gets too low. Teach friends, co-workers, and family members what they can do to help if you have low blood sugar.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Changes in vision.
• Chest pain, which may spread to your arm, jaw, or back.
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness, or hunger.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or pain in your stomach.
• Rapid weight gain.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweats, and bluish-colored skin.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild skin rash or itching.