Avandamet is a combination medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Drug therapy for diabetes should be combined with a balanced diet, weight loss and exercise.

Avandamet lowers blood sugar and helps your body to use insulin more efficiently.

Avandamet tablets contain two active ingredients, rosiglitazone maleate and metformin hydrochloride. These are both medicines that are used to help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM).

People with diabetes mellitus have a deficiency or absence of a hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for the control of sugar in the blood. In type 2 diabetes the

Adults
Your doctor will start therapy at a low dose and increase it until your blood sugar levels are under control.
The recommended daily starting dose is Avandamet 2- 500 mg
The dose may then be increased to Avandamet 4- 500 mg .

Children
Children should not take Avandamet , since the safety and effectiveness of the drug have not been studied in this group.

If you miss a Avandamet dose
If it is almost time for your next dose,

You should tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are using before you start treatment with Avandamet. This includes those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines. Likewise, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicines while you are taking Avandamet.

People being treated with insulin must not use Avandamet, as Avandamet may increase the risk of heart failure.

There may be an increased risk of fluid retention (oedema) if non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Most Important Fact about Avandamet
Avandamet could cause a very rare, but potentially fatal, side effect known as lactic acidosis. It is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. The problem is most likely to occur in people whose liver or kidneys are not working well, and in those who have multiple medical problems, take several medications, or have congestive heart failure. The risk also is higher if you are an older adult or drink alcohol. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that must be treated in a hospital.

Avandamet

More common side effects of Avandamet may include:

• accidental injury,
• anemia,
• back pain,
• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• joint pain,
• nausea,
• sinus inflammation,
• swelling,
• upper respiratory infection,
• upset stomach,
• viral infection

Less common or rare side effects of Avandamet may include:

• high blood sugar