Blood sugar levels are ordinarily controlled by the body\'s natural supply of insulin, which helps sugar move out of the bloodstream and into the cells. Patients with type II diabetes cannot make enough insulin, and the cells of their body do not respond normally to the reduced amounts of insulin that are present. (Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates cells to remove glucose from the blood.)

Generic Avandia (rosiglitazone) often is referred to as an \"insulin sensitizer\" because it attaches to the insulin receptors on cells throughout the body and causes the cells to become more sensitive (more responsive) to insulin.

Generic Avandia works first by decreasing sugar production, then by helping the body make more efficient use of whatever insulin is available. It does not increase the actual amount of insulin in circulation. As a result, more glucose is removed from the blood. At least some insulin must be produced by the pancreas in order for rosiglitazone to function.

The FDA approved Generic Avandia on May 28, 1999.

Generic Avandia may be taken once a day in the morning or divided in half and taken in the morning and evening, with or without food.

If you miss a Generic Avandia dose: Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next Generic Avandia dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 Generic Avandia doses at once.

Generic Avandia dosage for Adults
The usual starting dose of Generic Avandia either alone or in combination with another diabetes drug is 4 milligrams once a day or 2 milligrams twice a day. If your sugar levels remain too high after 12 weeks of treatment, the doctor may increase your dose to 8 milligrams once a day or 4 milligrams twice a day.

Generic Avandia Overdose: Although there is no information on the potential results of Generic Avandia overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect a Generic Avandia overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Generic Avandia Storage instructions Store at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant container.

Generic Avandia Preparations: Film-coated tablets: 2, 4, and 8 mg.

Most important fact about Generic Avandia
Generic Avandia is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet, weight loss, and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications, such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Generic Avandia is not an oral form of insulin, and cannot be used in place of insulin.

Special precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding It\'s important to maintain normal blood sugar levels while pregnant, but the safety of Generic Avandia during pregnancy remains unproven. Since insulin shots are known to be safe, your doctor may switch you from Generic Avandia to insulin until the baby is born. It is not known whether Generic Avandia appears in breast milk. Because many drugs do find their way into breast milk, however, it’s safe to avoid taking Generic Avandia while nursing.

Special warnings about Generic Avandia : If you have liver disease, you should not take Generic Avandia. Your doctor will check to make sure your liver function is normal before prescribing Generic Avandia, then recheck it every 2 months for the first 12 months and periodically thereafter. Warning signs of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dark urine. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. You may need to discontinue treatment with Generic Avandia. People taking Generic Avandia in combination with other diabetes drugs sometimes develop low blood sugar. If this happens, check with your doctor. The dosage of the other diabetes drug may have to be reduced. People with kidney problems can take Generic Avandia, but should not take Glucophage. If you have poor kidney function, you\'ll be unable to take advantage of this combination. Generic Avandia can increase the chances of conception. Be sure to use some form of birth control if you do not want a pregnancy. Generic Avandia will not help type 1 diabetics, who are unable to produce any insulin at all. Insulin shots are a necessity for this form of the illness. Generic Avandia will not relieve diabetic ketoacidosis (excessively high sugar levels due to lack of insulin).

Use Generic Avandia with caution if you have a problem with fluid retention or swelling. Generic Avandia has been known to cause this problem, which in turn can lead to heart failure.Generic Avandia should be avoided by anyone who has been diagnosed with heart failure, and it should be discontinued by anyone who develops it. Make sure the doctor is aware of any heart problems you may have. Alert him immediately if you develop symptoms of heart failure such as fatigue and shortness of breath. You should be aware that people taking Generic Avandia tend to gain a little weight, typically around 5 to 10 pounds. The cause is thought to be a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation. Generic Avandia is not recommended for children under 18.

Possible Generic Avandia side effects
Side effects of Generic Avandia cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Generic Avandia.

More common side effects of Generic Avandia may include:
Back pain, fatigue, headache, high blood sugar, respiratory tract infections, sinus inflammation, swelling.

Less common side effects of Generic Avandia may include:
Anemia (low blood cell count), diarrhea.

Rare side effects of Generic Avandia may include:
Congestive heart failure, low blood sugar.