Avandaryl

Avandaryl is a combination of two diabetes medicines that are used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The medication works by helping your body use its natural insulin better and by causing the pancreas to produce more insulin. It comes in a tablet form that is usually taken once a day. As with any medication, there are potential side effects, such as headaches, low blood sugar, and fluid retention.

What Is Avandaryl?

Avandaryl® (rosiglitazone and glimepiride) is a prescription medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes). The drug is a combination of two different diabetes medications: rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®) and glimepiride (Amaryl®).
 
(Click Avandaryl Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Avandaryl is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
 

How Does Avandaryl Work?

The two medications in Avandaryl work differently and have different effects in the body:
 
 
  • Rosiglitazone is part of a group of medications called thiazolidinediones (or sometimes called glitazones). The drug helps to improve insulin sensitivity, meaning that it helps your body to use its natural insulin better. This helps to lower blood sugar and keep it under better control.
     
  • Glimepiride is part of a class of diabetes medications known as sulfonylureas. As a sulfonylurea, glimepiride helps the pancreas to produce more insulin. It may also help the cells of the body respond to insulin better. Because of these effects, blood sugar levels decrease.
     
Avandaryl is not used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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