Rosiglitazone is used along with a diet and exercise program and sometimes with other medications to treat type 2 (noninsulin dependent) diabetes. It works by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin, a natural substance that helps control blood sugar levels.
Rosiglitazone is not used to treat type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.
Dosage and Administration
Rosiglitazone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice daily with or without meals. Take rosiglitazone at about the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rosiglitazone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of rosiglitazone and may increase your dose after 8-12 weeks, based on your body's response to rosiglitazone.
Rosiglitazone helps control type 2 diabetes but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks for your blood sugar to decrease, and 2-3 months or longer for you to feel the full benefit of rosiglitazone. Continue to take rosiglitazone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rosiglitazone without talking to your doctor.
Special Dietary Instructions
Follow all dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. A healthy diet and weight loss will help control your diabetes and will also make rosiglitazone more effective.
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking this medication.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side Effects
Rosiglitazone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- runny nose and other cold symptoms
- sore throat
- back pain
- painful or irregular menstrual periods
- flu-like symptoms
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- stomach pain
- excessive tiredness
- loss of appetite
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- dark urine
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- blurred vision
- difficulty seeing colors
- difficulty seeing in the dark
- pale skin
- dizziness
- chest pain or tightness
- shortness of breath
- wakening during the night because of difficulty breathing
- cough
- large or rapid weight gain
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles or lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- hives
- itching
Rosiglitazone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
Overdosage
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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