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Help Your Doctor Help You
See your doctor regularly. Talk about your diabetes treatment and how it's working. If you're taking AVANDIA, share any questions you have with your doctor, and make sure that you're meeting your blood sugar goals.
Talking openly with your doctor is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your diabetes. So get ready for your next doctor visit. You're the only one who knows what's working for you day in and day out.
Your doctor may use the A1C test to check how well your blood sugar is controlled. This test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past two or three months.
However, some very important information comes directly from you. Some things doctors want to know are how you feel, any changes you've made to your diet, and your level of physical activity.
The next time you see your doctor
- Talk about how you feel. Your doctor needs to know if you've had any symptoms from diabetes, or side effects from your diabetes medicine.
- Share the positive things you do, along with any areas you struggle in. Tell your doctor about how easy or hard it's been to manage your diabetes.
- Share the results of your blood sugar tests. Bring your completed Blood Sugar Tracker forms with you.
- If you're considering AVANDIA, review your current medicines and medical history with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and risks of AVANDIA. This will help your doctor decide if AVANDIA is the right choice. As with any medicine, only your doctor can decide whether AVANDIA is right for you.
*Only your doctor can decide if AVANDIA is right for you. AVANDIA is not right for everyone.
Taking AVANDIA with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for AVANDIA® (rosiglitazone maleate)
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. Taking AVANDIA with insulin or with nitrates is not recommended.
- 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.
Prescription AVANDIA, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
For more information about AVANDIA, please see Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.
