What Is Rosiglitazone Used For?

Rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia^®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes medications.

 

Keep in mind that rosiglitazone cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes (see Avandia and Type 1 Diabetes).

 

Using Rosiglitazone for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes (see Diabetes Types). It is also sometimes called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition involving insulin resistance. With insulin resistance, the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as well as they normally should. As a result, the cells do not take sugar out of the blood very well. This is why type 2 diabetics have high blood sugar.

 

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to a number of problems, including diabetic impotence, diabetic neuropathy, kidney failure, and heart disease (see Diabetes Complications). The cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood, although it is known that obesity and genetics play an important role.

 

Rosiglitazone is used for treating type 2 diabetes in people who cannot lower blood sugar through lifestyle changes (such as weight loss, diet, and exercise). It 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 not only lowers blood sugar, but it also helps to keep it under better control.