Avandia not currently being sold

According to its 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.

Avandia (rosiglitazone) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Avandia comes as a tablet that you swallow. It belongs to a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones.

Avandia is not available in a generic form.

The following chart summarizes Avandia’s dosage. Milligrams is abbreviated as mg. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Avandia starting dosageAvandia maximum daily dosage
• 4 mg once daily
• 2 mg twice daily
8 mg once daily

For information about the dosage of Avandia, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Avandia, see this article.

This article describes typical (“normal”) dosages for Avandia provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Avandia, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Avandia and its dosages.

Avandia form

Avandia comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.

Avandia strength

Avandia comes in two strengths: 2 milligrams (mg) and 4 mg.

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for type 2 diabetes

The recommended starting dose of Avandia for type 2 diabetes is 4 mg once per day. You can take this dose once daily or divided into two doses. This would mean taking one 2-mg tablet twice per day.

After 8 to 12 weeks of treatment, your doctor may check to see how well Avandia is working for you. If your blood sugar level is still not well-managed, they may increase your dosage to 8 mg once per day. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

Long-term treatment

Avandia is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Avandia is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

The Avandia dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how well your blood sugar levels are managed
  • if you take other medications with Avandia
  • if you get symptoms of heart failure after starting Avandia

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Avandia dosage.

Dosage adjustments

If you take certain medications with Avandia, your dosage of Avandia may need to be adjusted. These drugs can include:

  • Lopid (gemfibrozil), which can increase the level of Avandia in your body
  • Rifadin (rifampin), which may decrease the level of Avandia in your body

Before starting Avandia, be sure to tell your doctor about other medications you take.

Your doctor may check how well your liver is working while taking Avandia. If there’s a change in your liver function tests, they may recommend stopping Avandia.

If you develop symptoms of congestive heart failure* while taking Avandia, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend that you stop taking Avandia.

* Avandia has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Avandia comes as a tablet that you swallow. It may be taken with or without food.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug labels and containers

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Avandia in an easy-open container. They may also recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Avandia, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose. Do not double up on doses to make up for the missed one.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not use more Avandia than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Avandia

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Avandia. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Avandia for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Avandia without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Avandia that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Avandia. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.