Avandia currently not being soldAccording to manufacturer Woodward Pharma Services, Avandia is not currently being sold. It’s not known if Avandia will be made available again. If you have questions about an Avandia prescription you may have, talk with your doctor.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor might suggest Avandia as a treatment option for you.
Avandia is a prescription drug used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. For this condition, it’s prescribed along with exercise and a balanced diet.
Avandia comes as a tablet that you swallow. It contains the active ingredient rosiglitazone. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
This article describes the dosages of Avandia, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Avandia, see this in-depth article.
Note: The chart below highlights the basics of Avandia’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail. And please keep in mind that this article covers Avandia’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.
| Recommended Avandia starting dosage | Avandia maximum dosage |
| 4 milligrams (mg) once daily or 2 mg twice daily | 8 mg daily |
This section covers common dosage information for Avandia. Before taking this medication, your doctor will review dosage instructions specific to your condition.
What is Avandia’s form?
Avandia comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strengths does Avandia come in?
Avandia tablets come in two strengths:
- 2 milligrams (mg)
- 4 mg
What are the usual dosages of Avandia?
Your doctor will usually prescribe a low dosage of Avandia to start. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
The recommended starting dosage of Avandia is 4 mg daily. Your doctor may have you take Avandia as a single dose once daily. Or they may divide it into two 2-mg doses per day. If this dosage isn’t enough to manage your blood sugar, your doctor may increase it. The maximum dose of Avandia is 8 mg daily.
Is Avandia used long term?
Yes, Avandia is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Avandia is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll take it long term.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may check your blood sugar periodically while you’re taking Avandia. They may do this at their office using an A1C blood test or a fasting blood glucose test.
If your normal dose doesn’t lower your blood sugar level enough, your doctor may increase your Avandia dosage.
Sometimes taking Avandia with other medications for diabetes may lower blood sugar levels too much. If this happens, your doctor may decrease the dosage of your other diabetes medications.
Certain drugs may affect how your body breaks down Avandia. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications that you take. They may adjust your Avandia dosage if other medications you take may affect the amount of Avandia in your body.
The dosage of Avandia you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the kind and severity of the condition you’re taking Avandia to treat
- other conditions you may have
- other medications you may take (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Avandia’s dosage?”)
You may take Avandia once daily or twice daily. Your doctor will let you know how often you should take it. Always take this medication exactly as your doctor prescribes.
You can take Avandia with or without food.
For information on Avandia expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Avandia in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose of Avandia, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. You should not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. Doing so may increase your risk of side effects.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Avandia on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Avandia than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Avandia
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Avandia. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Avandia for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Avandia without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Avandia exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will you change my dosage of Avandia if I’m taking Glucophage (metformin) along with it?
- Is it better to take Avandia once per day or twice per day?
- Would a higher dose increase my risk of side effects from Avandia?
For news on treatments and advice about managing your condition, consider signing up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter. And if you’re looking to meet with a supportive online community of people living with type 2 diabetes, check out Bezzy T2D.
Q:
What kinds of medications affect my Avandia dosage?
AnonymousA:
Your liver breaks down many medications, including Avandia. Sometimes other drugs can change how your liver breaks down Avandia.
Some medications can cause your liver to break down Avandia slower. This can result in Avandia building up in your body and increasing your risk of side effects. Examples of these medications include:
- certain allergy medications, such as Singulair (montelukast) and Accolate (zafirlukast)
- certain blood pressure medications, such as Atacand (candesartan) and felodipine
- certain cholesterol medications, such as Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Zocor (simvastatin)
- the thyroid medication Synthroid (levothyroxine)
- some birth control medications
Other medications, such as the antibiotic Rifadin (rifampin), can speed up how your liver breaks down Avandia. In this case, Avandia may not work as well as it should.
It’s important to let your doctor know all the medications you take or are considering taking. If you take medications that affect how your liver breaks down Avandia, they may need to adjust your dosage of Avandia.
The list above doesn’t include all the medications that may affect your Avandia dosage. To learn more about how your medications may affect your Avandia dosage, talk with your doctor.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.