Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
tablet
- 2mg
- 4mg
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Initial 4 mg PO qDay or divided q12hr
If inadequate response afer 8-12 weeks, may increase dose to 8 mg PO qDay or divided q12hr
Monitor: ALT at start of treatment, qMonth for 12 months then q3Months thereafter
Dosage Modifications
Active liver disease (ALT >2.5 x ULN): Do not inititate rosiglitazone
Renal impairment: No dosage adjustments required
Coadministration with sulfonylurea: Adjust sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs
Safety and efficacy not established
See Adult dosing
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Adverse Effects
>10%
Increased LDL-cholesterol
Increased HDL-cholesterol
Increased total cholesterol
1-10%
Edema
Hypertension
Heart failure/congestive heart failure
Myocardial ischemia
Diarrhea
Upper respiratory tract infection
Frequency Not Defined
Accidental injury
Anemia
Back pain
Fatigue
Headache
Hypoglycemia
Myalgia
Sinusitis
Weight gain
Warnings
Black Box Warnings
Congestive heart failure risk
Thiazolidinediones, including rosiglitazone, cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure in some patients
After initiation, and after dose increases, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of heart failure (including excessive, rapid weight gain, dyspnea, and/or edema)
If these signs and symptoms develop, the heart failure should be managed according to current standards of care
Furthermore, discontinuation or dose reduction must be considered
Not recommended in patients with symptomatic heart failure
Initiation with established NYHA Class III or IV heart failure is contraindicated
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to rosiglitazone
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Heart failure NYHA class III-IV
Active liver disease: do not start rosiglitazone if ALT >2.5 x ULN
Cautions
Fluid retention, which may exacerbate or lead to heart failure, may occur; combination use with insulin and use in congestive heart failure NYHA Class I and II may increase risk of other cardiovascular effects
If ALT >3 x ULN stop treatment; if 1.5-3 x normal, retest qWeek until normal or 3 x normal and need to discontinue
Not for use in diabetes mellitus type 1; mechanism requires presence of endogenous insulin; use with insulin may increase risk of heart failure; not recommended
Thiazolidinediones, which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonists, can cause dose-related fluid retention, particularly when used in combination with insulin; dose-related edema and weight gain may occur
When used in combination with other hypoglycemic agents, a dose reduction of concomitant agent may be necessary to reduce risk of hypoglycemia
Associated with rare cases of new onset or worsening of macular edema
May result in ovulation in some premenopausal anovulatory women; ensure adequate contraception
Increased risk of fractures of upper arm, hand, or foot in female patients
Dose-related decreases in hemoglobin and hemocrit reported
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
Limited data in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine drug- associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriage; there are risks to mother and fetus associated with poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy
Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications; poorly controlled diabetes increases fetal risk for major birth defects, stillbirth, and macrosomia-related morbidity
Animal data
- In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects observed when drug was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at exposures up to 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 8 mg daily
Reproductive potential of patients
- Discuss potential for unintended pregnancy with premenopausal women as therapy may result in ovulation in some anovulatory women
Lactation
There are no data on presence of rosiglitazone in human milk, effects on breastfed infant, or on milk production; drug is present in rat milk; however, due to species-specific differences in lactation physiology, animal data may not reliably predict drug levels in human milk; developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with mother's clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infant or the underlying maternal condition
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Lowers glucose by improving target cell response to insulin without increasing pancreatic cell secretion; activates nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, which influences the production of gene products involved in glucose and lipid metabolism
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability: 99%
Onset of Action: Initial effect delayed; maximum effect may take up to 12 weeks
Peak Plasma Time: 1 hr
Protein Bound: >99%
Half-Life: 3-4 hr
Vd: 17.6 L
Metabolism: by hepatic CYP2C8 & CYP2C9 (minor extent)
Excretion: urine 64%; feces 22%
Images
Patient Handout
Formulary
Adding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.
Adding plans allows you to:
- View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.
- Manage and view all your plans together – even plans in different states.
- Compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.
- Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop.