Thiazolidinediones

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (ACTOS) are in a group of drugs called thiazolidinediones. These drugs help insulin work better in the muscle and fat and also reduce glucose production in the liver. The first drug in this group, troglitazone (Rezulin), was removed from the market because it caused serious liver problems in a small number of people. So far rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have not shown the same problems, but users are still monitored closely for liver problems as a precaution. Both drugs appear to increase the risk for heart failure in some individuals, and there is debate about whether rosiglitazone may contribute to an increased risk for heart attacks. Both drugs are effective at reducing A1C and generally have few side effects.

Product Description

Most important information about Avandamet

Pharmacokinetics

Possible Side Effects

More information about AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin):

FDA MedWatch Alerts

Combination with Insulin

FDA Approves Avandamet as Initial Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

FDA Alert

Too Many Meds: Try Combinations

New Avandamet dosage strengths approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes

EMEA Statement on Recent Publication on Cardiac Safety of Rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avaglim)

To get more information about Avandamet: AVANDAMET MEDICATION.
To buy AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin) click HERE: My Family Drugstore

When rosiglitazone was first authorised in the EU in 2000, it was contraindicated in patients with a history of cardiac failure. Since then, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has kept rosiglitazone under close surveillance for cardiovascular effects (cardiac failure and other cardiac disorders including myocardial infarction). The majority of the studies included in the NEJM paper have already been assessed by the CHMP. The EU product information was updated in September 2006 with information about the risk of cardiac ischaemic events.

Some of the studies in the NEJM paper included patients who were not treated in line with the indication approved in the EU. Prescribers are reminded to adhere to the restrictions for use in patients with cardiac disease as set out in the product information.

Patients are advised not to stop treatment with rosiglitazone and to discuss the medication with their doctor at their next regular visit.

Product Description

Most important information about Avandamet

Pharmacokinetics

Possible Side Effects

More information about AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin):

FDA MedWatch Alerts

Combination with Insulin

FDA Approves Avandamet as Initial Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

FDA Alert

Too Many Meds: Try Combinations

New Avandamet dosage strengths approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes

EMEA Statement on Recent Publication on Cardiac Safety of Rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avaglim)

To buy AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin) click HERE: My Family Drugstore

The new Avandamet dosages of 1 gram metformin combined with 2 mg or 4 mg rosiglitazone will be available to patients in approximately six weeks.

Approval of the new Avandamet 1 gram tablets will offer additional dosing flexibility for the many type 2 diabetes patients who are currently taking a total daily dose of 2 grams of metformin, according to David Brand, Vice President, Metabolic/Endocrine Marketing, GlaxoSmithKline. “Over the long-term, many patients on traditional agents do not reach the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended goal for blood sugar control, which puts them at increased risk for diabetes-related complications such as heart disease. With Avandamet, we look to provide an effective and convenient treatment option for patients to help manage their type 2 diabetes,” he said.

Avandamet was approved by the FDA in October 2002 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who are already treated with Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) and metformin as separate tablets, or who are not adequately controlled on metformin alone. In addition to the new dosages, which will be available to patients in approximately six weeks, Avandamet is currently available in three tablet strengths of rosiglitazone/metformin, respectively: 1 mg /500 mg, 2 mg/500 mg, 4 mg/500 mg.

Research has demonstrated that the combination of Avandia and metformin significantly reduces and maintains blood sugar levels, compared to metformin alone. The combination therapy is associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and offers a convenient two-in-one dosing. The concomitant use of Avandia and metformin as separate tablets was first approved by the FDA in 1999 as safe and effective based on two controlled clinical trials in people with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin alone.

Avandamet, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control. It is a combination of two drugs — rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl.

A small number of people who have taken metformin, one of the components of Avandamet, have developed a rare yet serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis occurs most often in people with kidney problems and can be fatal in up to one half of the cases. Avandamet should not be used in people with kidney problems or in people 80 years of age and older whose kidneys are not functioning properly.

Avandamet should not be used by people who drink alcohol excessively or by those taking medication for heart failure. It is not approved for use with insulin.

Avandamet may cause swelling, which, if left unchecked, could lead to or worsen heart failure. If people experience an unusually rapid increase in weight, swelling, shortness of breath, or have a history of these conditions, they should talk to their doctor immediately.

Avandamet is not recommended for people with active liver disease. Blood tests should be conducted before and while taking Avandamet to check for liver problems. If people experience unexplained tiredness, stomach problems, dark urine or yellowing of the skin, they should talk to their doctor immediately.

Women who are nursing, pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant or premenopausal should talk to their doctor before taking Avandamet.

Source: GlaxoSmithKline

Product Description

Most important information about Avandamet

Pharmacokinetics

Possible Side Effects

More information about AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin):

FDA MedWatch Alerts

Combination with Insulin

FDA Approves Avandamet as Initial Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

FDA Alert

Too Many Meds: Try Combinations

EMEA Statement on Recent Publication on Cardiac Safety of Rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avaglim)

To buy AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin) click HERE: My Family Drugstore

So, this means that people with diabetes often need to take medications for glycemic control. (Just to clarify: people with type 1 diabetes will always need insulin and generally don’t take any oral diabetes medications.)

And sometimes these people take medications not only to control their diabetes but also to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions that can emerge as complications of diabetes.

Bottom line: People with diabetes often need not one but several medications. And adding more medications to a regimen can cause problems with compliance, incorrect timing of medicines, and cost.

I want you to know that combination medications are available, but I also want to stress that I don’t think they are for everyone. For example, combination meds can be great for someone who forgets to take all of their medications and follows a general meal schedule (some of these meds are to be taken before meals). Combination meds may not be good for someone whose daily schedule is always changing.

Let’s go through the diabetes meds that are available as combinations and then discuss their pros and cons. Listed below are the combination oral medications currently available for diabetes (the brand name is followed by the generic names of the two drugs combined):

• Glucovance (metformin + glyburide)
• Avandamet (metformin + rosiglitazone)
• Metaglip (metformin + glipizide)
• Actoplus met (metformin + pioglitazone)
• Avandaryl (rosiglitazone + glimepiride)

The pros of these oral meds:

• one less pill to take
• timing is simplified
• less expensive perhaps, depending on your co-pay

The cons of these meds:

• only Glucovance is available as a generic, so the other combination meds are usually more expensive (again, depending on your insurance and co-pays)
• not as many options available for specific dose changes
• Not as much flexibility with timing of meals

If you think combination oral medications could work for you, ask your doctor about them. Be proactive and stay on top of all your meds. In my next blog, I’ll discuss combination insulins-stay tuned.

Product Description

Most important information about Avandamet

Pharmacokinetics

Possible Side Effects

More information about AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin):

FDA MedWatch Alerts

Combination with Insulin

FDA Approves Avandamet as Initial Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

FDA Alert

New Avandamet dosage strengths approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes

EMEA Statement on Recent Publication on Cardiac Safety of Rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avaglim)

To buy AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin) click HERE: My Family Drugstore

Product Description

Most important information about Avandamet

Pharmacokinetics

Possible Side Effects

More information about AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin):

FDA MedWatch Alerts

Combination with Insulin

FDA Approves Avandamet as Initial Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Too Many Meds: Try Combinations

New Avandamet dosage strengths approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes

EMEA Statement on Recent Publication on Cardiac Safety of Rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avaglim)

To buy AVANDAMET (Rosiglitazone/Metformin) click HERE: My Family Drugstore