What Is Rosiglitazone Used For? (Cont.)

Rosiglitazone as Part of Diabetes Treatment

Any type 2 diabetes treatment begins with lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective at managing diabetes, diabetes medication may be necessary. Some diabetes medications force the pancreas to produce more insulin (see Avandia Alternatives). These medications are effective, but can cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Because rosiglitazone does not force the pancreas to make more insulin, there is a low risk of developing dangerously low blood sugar with rosiglitazone (see Avandia and Blood Sugar).
 
In some people, rosiglitazone 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 alone will not be effective. These people will need to take insulin along with rosiglitazone.
 
(To learn about controlling diabetes through lifestyle choices, click on any of the links below:
 

Rosiglitazone Use in Children

Rosiglitazone has been studied in children as young as 10 years old. However, there is not enough information to recommend the use of rosiglitazone in children at this time. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using rosiglitazone for type 2 diabetes in children.
 

Off-Label Rosiglitazone Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend taking rosiglitazone for something other than the condition(s) discussed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an off-label rosiglitazone use.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;