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A1C test
See Hemoglobin A1C Test.

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Angina
A type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

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Beta cells
Cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

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Blood sugar
Also called blood glucose, this is the body's main source of energy.

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Blood sugar level
The amount of glucose, or sugar, in your blood. It is measured in terms of milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL.

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Carbohydrates
The major source of energy for the body. The body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which provides calories and energy.

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Combination therapy
In type 2 diabetes, using more than one medicine to help manage high blood sugar.

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Complications
Harmful conditions that type 2 diabetes can cause, like kidney damage, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, and poor eyesight.

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Congestive heart failure (CHF)
A condition in which the heart loses pumping power, causing the build-up of fluids in the body, especially in the lungs and feet.

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Gestational diabetes
High blood sugar levels that develop during pregnancy; this condition usually goes away after delivery, but increases the woman’s risk for diabetes.

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Glimepiride
A medicine (from the sulfonylurea class) used to treat high blood sugar that helps the pancreas release more insulin.

Avandaryl combines Avandia and glimepiride.

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Heart attack
See Myocardial Infarction.

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Heart failure
See Congestive Heart Failure.

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Hemoglobin (HbA1c) A1C test
Blood test to measure average blood sugar levels over the last 3 months. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends reaching an A1C level of 6.5 percent or less. However, A1C goals are individual, so your doctor will tell you where you need to be.

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Hormone
A chemical that certain cells in the body make to help other cells work. For example, the pancreas makes the hormone insulin to help the body use glucose as energy.

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Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar levels.

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Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels.

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Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body's cells use sugar for energy.

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Insulin resistance
A major factor in developing type 2 diabetes. It develops when the body does not respond to insulin as it should.

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Metformin
A medicine (from the biguanide class) used to treat high blood sugar that mainly works by reducing the amount of glucose made by the liver.

Avandamet combines Avandia and metformin.

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Myocardial infarction
The death of part of the heart muscle due to lack of oxygen. Also known as a heart attack.
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Neuropathy
Nerve damage; a complication of type 2 diabetes.

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Nephropathy
Kidney disease; a complication of type 2 diabetes.

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Nitrates
Medicines used to treat a type of chest pain called angina.

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Pancreas
A large gland behind the stomach that makes and secretes insulin and other hormones that help regulate blood glucose levels.

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Retinopathy
Disease of the small blood vessels in the retina (back of the eye); can be a complication of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

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Stroke
Condition caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain; can be a complication of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

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Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
Medicines that make cells more sensitive to insulin and also reduce glucose production in the liver.

Avandia is a medicine in this class.

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Type 1 diabetes
Type of diabetes in which the body makes little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes often affects children, but adults can develop it, too.

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Type 2 diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, in which the body's cells don’t respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance) or the body does not make enough insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Please see important safety information below for Avandia, Avandamet and Avandaryl, including who should not take Avandia, Avandamet or Avandaryl. See also link to Medication Guide for Avandia and links to Patient Information Leaflets for Avandamet and Avandaryl.

Prescription Avandia, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Taking Avandia with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

Avandia can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart) you cannot be started on Avandia. Avandia is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

Avandia may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take Avandia tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

Before taking Avandia, review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN^®(troglitazone).
Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Women taking Avandia should know that Avandia may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking Avandia. Other possible side effects of Avandia include anemia and hypoglycemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start Avandia and during treatment as needed.

For more information about Avandia, please see Medication Guide. For further information on Avandia, please see full Prescribing Information.

Avandamet, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl.

Avandamet can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on Avandamet. Avandamet is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

Rosiglitazone, a component of Avandamet, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended.

If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking.

A small number of people who have taken metformin, one of the components of Avandamet, have developed a rare yet serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis occurs most often in people with kidney problems and can be fatal in up to one half of the cases. You should not take Avandamet if you have kidney problems. Tests should be used to check your kidneys before and while taking Avandamet. You should not drink alcohol excessively when taking Avandamet. If you are taking medicines for heart failure, you may be at increased risk of lactic acidosis.

If you take Avandamet, tell your doctor right away if you:

Have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness
Experience changes in vision
Become pregnant

Review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

Have heart failure or other heart problems
Have liver problems or liver disease
Are pregnant or are nursing

Women taking Avandamet should know that Avandamet may increase the risk of pregnancy

More fractures have been observed in women taking Avandamet.

For more information about Avandamet, please see Patient Information. For further information on Avandamet, please see full Prescribing Information.

Avandaryl, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Avandaryl is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride.

Avandaryl can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on Avandaryl. Avandaryl is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

Rosiglitazone, a component of Avandaryl, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction). This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin. Taking rosiglitazone with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended.

If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking.

Avandaryl may cause low blood sugar. Lightheadedness, dizziness, shakiness or hunger may mean that your blood sugar is too low. If you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dose of Avandaryl to reduce problems with low blood sugar. Talk to your doctor if low blood sugar is a problem for you.

If you take Avandaryl, tell your doctor right away if you:

Have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness
Experience changes in vision
Become pregnant

Review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

Have heart failure or other heart problems
Have liver problems or liver disease
Are pregnant or are nursing

Women taking Avandaryl should know that Avandaryl may increase the risk of pregnancy

More fractures have been observed in women taking Avandaryl .

For more information about Avandaryl, please see Patient Information. For further information on Avandaryl, please see full Prescribing Information.

Medication Guide, Prescribing Information, and Important Safety Information for Avandia
Patient Information, Prescribing Information, and Important Safety Information forAvandamet
Patient Information, Prescribing Information, and Important Safety Information for Avandaryl

Glossary

Please see important safety information below for Avandia, Avandamet and Avandaryl, including who should not take Avandia, Avandamet or Avandaryl. See also link to Medication Guide for Avandia and links to Patient Information Leaflets for Avandamet and Avandaryl.