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Rosiglitazone (a thiazolidinedione) is a successful drug which is used to treat diabetes and is marketed by its brand name “Avandia”. This drug is very helpful in controlling blood glucose and because of its convenience with only one daily dosage needed, it is a welcome treatment for many diabetics. Below are the basic characteristics of rosiglitazone:

1. You can take rosiglitazone, which is in tablet form, only once daily and with or without food based on your preference.

2. Rosiglitazone is available in strengths of 2 mg tablets, 4 milligram tablets, and 8 mg tablets.

3. This drug greatly improves insulin resistance which means that it has its best effect on blood glucose after meals are eaten.

4. Rosiglitazone may take up to 12 weeks or longer in order to provide its maximum benefits. The recommended dose for starters it is 4 milligrams. 8 milligrams is the maximum dose recommended by doctors. Patients have their dosages increased typically every three to four weeks, and only if deemed necessary by their doctor.

5. If you are a diabetic with poor glucose control that is taking a sulfonylurea drug or metformin, then combining them with rosiglitazone works well together. However, you may need to reduce the amount of sulfonylurea dosages taken to avoid hypoglycemia.

6. There is no need to fear hypoglycemia if you are taking rosiglitazone by itself. Hypoglycemia is only caused by this drug when combined with sulfonylurea or insulin.

7. Another benefit of this drug is that it is “insulin-sparing’. This means that when taking rosiglitazone, your body does not have to make as much insulin on its own in order to control blood glucose.

8. When it comes to your body excreting rosiglitazone out of its system, it is done mostly through the bowels. This is a huge benefit because many drugs have to filter through the kidneys which may cause kidney damage.