Rosiglitazone and Metformin as Part of Diabetes Treatment

The main goal of any diabetes treatment is to lower your blood sugar levels (as measured by your hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) enough to reduce your risk for developing problems related to diabetes (see Diabetes Complications).

Any type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes are not effective at managing diabetes, diabetes medication (such as rosiglitazone and metformin) may be necessary. Some diabetes drugs force the pancreas to produce more insulin (see Avandamet Alternatives). These medications are effective but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Because rosiglitazone and metformin does not force the pancreas to make more insulin, the risk of dangerously low blood sugar is low with rosiglitazone and metformin (see Avandamet and Blood Sugar).

 

In some people, rosiglitazone and metformin may need to be combined with other diabetes medicines. For example, if type 2 diabetes is untreated for a very long time, the pancreas may not be able to make insulin anymore. In these people, using rosiglitazone and metformin alone will not be effective, since the effects of the drug depend on the presence of insulin in the body. These people will need to take insulin along with this medication.

 

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