Rosiglitazone

If you have type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may prescribe rosiglitazone to help control your blood sugar. Rosiglitazone works by helping your body to respond better to its natural insulin. As a result, the drug helps to lower blood sugar and to keep it under better control. There are some potential side effects of rosiglitazone, including upper respiratory infections, headaches, and back pain. The medication comes in the form of a tablet that is taken once or twice a day.

 

What Is Rosiglitazone?

Rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). It can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications.
 
Keep in mind, however, that rosiglitazone is not intended to be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (see Avandia and Type 1 Diabetes for more information).
 
(Click What Is Rosiglitazone Used For? for more information on what rosiglitazone is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Rosiglitazone?

Rosiglitazone is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
 

How Does Rosiglitazone Work?

Rosiglitazone is part of a group of diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called "glitazones"). The drug helps to improve insulin sensitivity, meaning that it helps your body to use its natural insulin better. This helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
 

Rosiglitazone Effects

There have been several studies looking at the effects of rosiglitazone for type 2 diabetes.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;