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Avandia Drug Interactions
Avandia drug interactions with other medications, such as certain seizure medications, rifampin, and ritonavir, can potentially lead to problems. Some of these drug interactions can either increase or decrease the amount of Avandia in your blood, potentially increasing your risk of side effects or decreasing the effectiveness of Avandia.
In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would be severely restricting the use of Avandia, due to the risk of "cardiovascular events" such as heart attacks and strokes. Only individuals who cannot control their diabetes on other medications (or those who are already taking the medication and doing well) will be able to take Avandia.
Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) can potentially interact with a few drugs. Some of the drugs that can lead to Avandia interactions include:
- Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
- Certain seizure medications, including:
- Gemfibrozil (Lopid®)
- Insulin
- Rifampin (Rifadin®) or rifapentine (Priftin®)
- Ritonavir (Norvir®).
Avandia Drug Interactions Explained
The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative effects that can occur when Avandia is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD