Avandaryl
(Avandia [Rosiglitazone] plus Glimepride [a sulfonylurea]
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What is Avandaryl?
Combines 2 antidiabetic agents with complementary mechanisms of action to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: Rosiglitazone, a member of the thiazolidinedione class, and glimepiride, a member of the sulfonylurea class. Thiazolidinediones are insulin-sensitizing agents that act primarily by enhancing peripheral glucose utilization, whereas sulfonylureas act primarily by stimulating release of insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells.

Dosing
AVANDARYL is available for oral administration as tablets containing rosiglitazone and glimepiride, respectively, in the following strengths (expressed as rosiglitazone maleate/glimepiride): 4 mg/1 mg, 4 mg/2 mg, 4 mg/4 mg, 8 mg/2 mg, and 8 mg/4 mg. AVANDARYL should be given once daily with the first meal of the day. If a dose is forgotten, the following dose must not be doubled.

What are the side effects
Less serious side effects may include:
  • low blood sugars (hypoglycemia)
  • headache
  • gradual weight gain
  • cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
  • rapid onset of swelling or weight gain
  • feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating, confusion or weakness
  • changes in vision;
  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating
  • nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Thiazolidinediones, including rosiglitazone, may cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure in some patients. AVANDARYL is not recommended in patients with symptomatic heart failure. Initiation of AVANDARYL in patients with established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure is contraindicated.