What is glimepiride and rosiglitazone?
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.
What is the most important information I should know about glimepiride and rosiglitazone?
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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking glimepiride and rosiglitazone?
You should not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you have advanced heart failure if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
To make sure you can safely take glimepiride and rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
congestive heart failure, heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke;
an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD);
liver disease or kidney disease;
adrenal or pituitary gland disorders; or
eye problems caused by diabetes.
Certain oral diabetes medications may increase your risk of serious heart problems. However, not treating your diabetes can damage your heart and other organs. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treating your diabetes with glimepiride and rosiglitazone.
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.
FDA pregnancy category C. Do not use glimepiride and rosiglitazone if you are pregnant. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Similar diabetes medications have caused severe hypoglycemia in newborn babies whose mothers had used the medication near the time of delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Some women using glimepiride and rosiglitazone have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.
It is not known whether glimepiride and rosiglitazone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using glimepiride and rosiglitazone.