University of Washington
AIDS Clinical Trials Group
Drug Information Sheet
Rosiglitazone |
Other Names: Avandia®
Manufacturer:
GlaxoSmithkline
What is it?
Rosiglitazone
is a medication that is commonly used to help control blood sugar in people
with diabetes. The drug decreases the amount of glucose (sugar) in the
bloodstream by making the body more sensitive to insulin. For this study, a matching placebo tablet
may be used in place of the rosiglitazone.
How do I take it?
·
Rosiglitazone
is available as a 4 mg capsule or matching placebo
·
The
dose is taken once daily in the morning.
Rosiglitazone or matching placebo may be taken with or without food, but
it should be taken consistently in the same manner throughout the study. Please
refer to your prescription label to be sure you take the study medication
correctly.
Special Considerations
·
Store
rosiglitazone or matching placebo at a controlled room temperature, out of the
reach of children.
·
Please
bring your medication bottles (empty and partially used) to each study visit.
Interactions
Some
drugs taken together may have interactions that cause illness or impair the
effectiveness of the drugs. It is a good
idea to always check with your study clinician before taking any other
medications, prescription or otherwise, to be sure it will not interact with
rosiglitazone.
Not
everyone experiences side effects. When
they do occur, they may be mild, moderate or severe. Some side effects cannot be felt by the patient but can be found
through laboratory tests, so it is important to see your study clinician
regularly for checkups so that adverse effects can be detected early and
treated.
Side
effects with rosiglitazone are not common. Possible side effects that would be
detected with blood tests include:
§
anemia
– a decrease in red blood cells which may result in weakness, dizziness, or
tiredness
§
leukopenia
– a decrease in white blood cells that help fight infection
§
hypoglycemia
– low blood sugar
Other
side effects that may occur include liver disease and resumption of ovulation
in pre- and perimenopausal women.
Rosiglitazone may cause edema (swelling) which can cause or worsen heart
failure. The most common symptoms of
heart failure are edema and shortness of breath.