Rosiglitazone

If you have type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may prescribe rosiglitazone to help control your blood sugar. The medication 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.

Rosiglitazone Maleate

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 the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Side Effects of Rosiglitazone

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects. However, not everyone who takes rosiglitazone will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects of rosiglitazone are less common.

The most common side effects of rosiglitazone include:

Upper respiratory infections (similar to the common cold)
Broken bones (in women)
Injury
Headaches
Swelling or water weight gain (edema) (see Avandia and Weight Gain)
Back pain.

(Click Side Effects of Rosiglitazone to learn about the specific side effects of this medication, including serious side effects to look out for.)

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