Side Effects of Rosiglitazone

As with any medication, there are potential side effects of rosiglitazone, including upper respiratory infections, headaches, and back pain. Most people, however, tolerate the medication well. When side effects do occur, they are generally minor. If you experience more serious side effects, such as trouble breathing, a rapid increase in weight, or vision changes, you should report them immediately to your healthcare provider.

Rosiglitazone Maleate

Rosiglitazone Side Effects: An Introduction

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

(The side effects discussed below are not a complete list of the side effects reported with this drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of rosiglitazone side effects with you.)

Common Rosiglitazone Side Effects

Rosiglitazone has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, the side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, the most common rosiglitazone side effects include:

Upper respiratory infections (similar to the common cold) -- occurring in up to 9.9 percent of people
Broken bones in women (especially in the arm, hand, or foot) -- up to 9.3 percent of women
Injury -- in up to 7.6 percent
Headache -- in up to 5.6 percent
Swelling or water weight gain (edema) -- in up to 4.8 percent (see Avandia and Weight Gain)
Back pain -- in up to 4 percent
Anemia -- in up to 1.9 percent.

(Click Lipid Effects of Avandia for more information about other possible rosiglitazone side effects.)

(Side Effects of Rosiglitazone Continued: Page 2)