• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• blurred vision;

• increased thirst or hunger, urinating more than usual; or

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• sneezing, runny nose, cough or other signs of a cold;

• headache;

• gradual weight gain;

• mild diarrhea; or

• back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect rosiglitazone?

You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking rosiglitazone with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include:

• isoniazid;

• diuretics (water pills);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• phenothiazines (Compazine and others);

• thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others);

• birth control pills and other hormones;

• seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); and

• diet pills or medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking rosiglitazone with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);

• aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);

• sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);

• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);

• beta-blockers (Tenormin and others); or

• probenecid (Benemid).

Some medications may interact with rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• gemfibrozil (Gemcor); or

• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rimactane).

This list is not a complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with rosiglitazone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about rosiglitazone written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.