Learn More About AVANDIA Health Article

AVANDIA is a medication that helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

• Along with diet and exercise, AVANDIA works alone or in combination with other type 2 diabetes medicines to improve blood sugar control*
• AVANDIA helps the body use its own natural insulin better—for improved blood sugar control*
• A long-term study of recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients showed AVANDIA improved blood sugar for up to five years*
• No other type 2 diabetes pill was proven to improve blood sugar control longer than AVANDIA, up to five years *
• AVANDIA is not right for everyone. Only your doctor can decide whether AVANDIA is right for you. Taking AVANDIA with insulin or nitrates is not recommended

Please read the Medication Guide and/or Important Safety Information for AVANDIA below

*Individual results may vary

AVANDIA + METFORMIN

Please read the Medication Guide and/or Important Safety Information for AVANDAMET® (rosiglitazone maleate/metformin HCl) below

Blood Sugar and Your Health

Improving your blood sugar control is important to your health. One study found that about three out of five people with type 2 diabetes have at least one other health problem linked to the disease. Complications of diabetes can include:

• Stroke
• Eye complications
• Heart disease
• Skin complications
• Nerve damage
• Kidney disease
• Foot complications

Please note that AVANDIA, like other type 2 diabetes medications, is not indicated to treat the complications of diabetes.

Diet and exercise actually make a real difference. You may need additional help, and that's why your doctor may prescribe you one or more medications.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch , or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information about AVANDIA® (rosiglitazone maleate)

Prescription AVANDIA, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Taking AVANDIA with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

AVANDIA can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart) you cannot be started on AVANDIA. AVANDIA is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling) even if these symptoms are not severe.

AVANDIA may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction).This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDIA, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

Before taking AVANDIA,review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

• Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
• Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
• Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
• Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Women taking AVANDIA should know that AVANDIA may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDIA. Other possible side effects of AVANDIA include anemia and hypoglycemia. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDIA and during treatment as needed.

For more information about AVANDIA, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDIA, please see full Prescribing Information .

Important Safety Information about AVANDAMET® (rosiglitazone maleate/metformin HCl)

Prescription AVANDAMET, along with diet and exercise, helps improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of two drugs - rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCl. Taking AVANDAMET with insulin or nitrates is not recommended.

AVANDAMET can cause or worsen heart failure. If you have severe heart failure (very poor pumping ability of the heart), you cannot be started on AVANDAMET. AVANDAMET is also not recommended if you have heart failure with symptoms (such as shortness of breath or swelling), even if these symptoms are not severe.

Rosiglitazone, one of the medicines in AVANDAMET, may increase your risk of other heart problems that occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction).This risk appeared higher in patients taking medicines called nitrates or insulin.

If you have chest pain or a feeling of chest pressure, you should seek immediate medical attention, regardless of what diabetes medicines you are taking. If you take AVANDAMET, tell your doctor right away if you: have swollen legs or ankles, a rapid increase in weight or difficulty breathing, or unusual tiredness; experience changes in vision; become pregnant.

A small number of people who have taken metformin, another medicine in AVANDAMET, have developed a rare yet serious condition called lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the blood) that can cause death. You have a higher chance of getting lactic acidosis if you have kidney problems; have liver problems; drink alcohol very often or excessively; get dehydrated, as when you are sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea; or you are going to have surgery. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems before or while taking AVANDAMET. You should not take AVANDAMET if you have kidney problems or metabolic acidosis. Tests should be used to check your kidneys and liver before and while taking AVANDAMET. If you are taking medicines for heart failure, you may be at increased risk of lactic acidosis.

Call your doctor right away if you feel any of the following, which may be signs of lactic acidosis: very weak or tired; you have unusual (not normal) muscle pain; you have stomach pains; you have trouble breathing; you feel dizzy or lightheaded; or you have a slow or irregular heartbeat.

Before taking AVANDAMET,review your medical history and tell your doctor if you:

• Have heart failure or other heart problems, or are on any medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart failure, or for prevention of heart disease or stroke.
• Take insulin or nitrate medicines.
• Have kidney problems.
• Are going to have dye injected into a vein for an X-ray, CAT scan, heart study, or other type of scanning.
• Drink a lot of alcohol.
• Develop a serious condition such as a heart attack, severe infection, or a stroke.
• Are 80 years of age or older.
• Have a type of diabetic eye disease called macular edema.
• Have liver problems or had liver problems while taking REZULIN® (troglitazone).
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Women taking AVANDAMET should know that AVANDAMET may increase the risk of pregnancy. More fractures have been observed in women taking AVANDAMET. Other possible side effects of AVANDAMET include anemia, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver before you start AVANDAMET and during treatment as needed.

For more information about AVANDAMET, please see Medication Guide. For further information on AVANDAMET, please see full Prescribing Information .