Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone) Disease Interactions

There are 12 disease interactions with Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone):

Metformin (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Lactic Acidosis

Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Renal Dysfunction, Liver Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Dehydration, Sepsis, Shock, Myocardial Infarction, Asphyxia, Acidosis, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Anemia, Alcoholism

The use of metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal dysfunction (serum creatinine >= 1.5 mg/dL in males and 1.4 mg/dL in females, or above the upper limit of normal for age); congestive heart failure requiring pharmacologic treatment (especially unstable or acute CHF where there is risk of hypoperfusion and hypoxemia); and any condition associated with hypoxemia (e.g., severe anemia, myocardial infarction, asphyxia, shock), dehydration (e.g., severe diarrhea or vomiting), or sepsis. Patients with these conditions may be at increased risk for the development of lactic acidosis, which is a rare but serious metabolic complication associated with metformin accumulation in plasma usually at levels exceeding 5 mcg/mL. Metformin should also not be administered to patients with acute or chronic metabolic acidosis. In addition, metformin should generally be avoided in alcoholics and patients with clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatic disease, since alcohol potentiates the effects of metformin on lactate metabolism and impaired hepatic function may significantly limit the ability to clear lactate. All patients treated with metformin should have renal function monitored regularly (at least annually or more frequently if necessary) and be advised of the significance of nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, increasing somnolence, and gastrointestinal disturbances that arise after stabilization of metformin dosage. More marked acidosis may be associated with hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. Immediate medical attention is necessary if these symptoms occur, and metformin therapy withheld until the situation can be clarified. If lactic acidosis is diagnosed, prompt supportive measures and hemodialysis are recommended.

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Cardiovascular Risk

Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: Cardiovascular Disease

The use of oral hypoglycemic agents may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to treatment with diet alone or diet with insulin. This warning is based on the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP) study, a long-term prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose-lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Patients treated with diet plus a fixed dosage of either tolbutamide (a sulfonylurea) or phenformin (a biguanide) for 5 to 8 years had a cardiovascular mortality rate approximately 2.5 times that of patients treated with diet alone, resulting in discontinuation of both these treatments in the study. Despite controversy regarding interpretation of these results, clinicians and patients should be aware of the potential risk when making treatment decisions for diabetes, particularly in the presence of underlying cardiovascular disease. Data are not available for other sulfonylureas or biguanides, nor for hypoglycemic agents belonging to other classes. However, given the similarities in chemical structure and/or mode of action, the same caution should be applied.

Rosiglitazone (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Myocardial Infarction

Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: History - Myocardial Infarction, Ischemic Heart Disease

Safety data from a pooled analysis of 42 randomized, controlled clinical studies suggest that patients treated with rosiglitazone may have an increased risk of myocardial infarction and/or death from heart-related causes. The overall incidence of myocardial ischemia was 1.99% in patients receiving rosiglitazone-containing therapies (n = 8,604) for at least 24 weeks, compared to 1.51% in patients receiving placebo or other antidiabetic therapies (n = 5,633) for a similar duration. The hazard ratio was 1.31 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.70) for rosiglitazone-treated patients relative to the comparators, which represents a greater than 30% excess risk of myocardial ischemic events in the rosiglitazone group. However, other published and unpublished data from long-term clinical trials of rosiglitazone provide contradictory evidence about the potential risks. Until more data are available, caution may be advisable when rosiglitazone is prescribed to patients with underlying heart disease or a history of myocardial infarction.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Chf

Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Congestive Heart Failure

The use of thiazolidinediones, alone or in combination with other antidiabetic agents, has been associated with fluid retention and new onset or exacerbation of heart failure. An increased risk of cardiovascular events (heart failure worsening; new or worsening edema; new or worsening dyspnea; increases in heart failure medication; myocardial infarction; angina; cardiovascular hospitalization and deaths) has been reported with rosiglitazone therapy in type II diabetic patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I or II congestive heart failure compared to placebo. Likewise, overnight hospitalization for CHF was observed in 9.9% of diabetic patients with NYHA Class II and III heart failure on pioglitazone compared to 4.7% of patients on glyburide. An increased incidence of cardiovascular adverse events including edema and cardiac failure has also been reported in patients receiving a thiazolidinedione in combination with insulin relative to insulin and placebo. Therapy with thiazolidinediones should be administered cautiously and initiated at the lowest recommended dosage in patients with congestive heart failure. Thiazolidinediones are not recommended for the treatment of patients with NYHA Class III or IV cardiac status. Patients should be monitored for signs of worsening heart failure such as increased dyspnea, edema, and weight gain. Therapy should be discontinued if any deterioration in cardiac status occurs.

Insulin/Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Hypoglycemia

Moderate Potential Hazard, Low plausibility

Applies to: Adrenal Insufficiency, Anorexia/Feeding Problems, Autonomic Neuropathy, Malnourished, Panhypopituitarism

Hypoglycemia may commonly occur during treatment with insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents. Care should be taken in patients who may be particularly susceptible to the development of hypoglycemic episodes during the use of these drugs, including those who are debilitated or malnourished, those with defective counterregulatory mechanisms (e.g., autonomic neuropathy and adrenal or pituitary insufficiency), and those receiving beta-adrenergic blocking agents.

Metformin (Includes Avandamet) ↔ B12 Deficiency

Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: Folic Acid/Cyanocobalamin Deficiency, Anemia Associated with Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Metformin may interfere with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) absorption from the B12-intrinsic factor complex. A decrease to subnormal levels of previously normal serum B12 levels has been reported in approximately 7% of patients treated with metformin during controlled clinical trials. Although the decrease is generally well-tolerated and rarely associated with clinical manifestations such as megaloblastic anemia, caution may be warranted when metformin therapy is administered in patients with preexisting B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 supplementation as well as annual measurements of hematologic parameters may be appropriate.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Edema

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Hypertension, Fluid Retention, Pleural Effusion, Pulmonary Edema

Thiazolidinediones can cause dose-related edema. Therapy with thiazolidinediones should be administered cautiously in patients at risk for congestive heart failure as well as those with fluid overload or other conditions that may be adversely affected by excess fluid such as hypertension. Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of heart failure such as dyspnea, swelling of legs or ankles, and weight gain.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Liver Disease

Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: Liver Disease

Initiation of rosiglitazone or pioglitazone therapy is not recommended in patients who exhibit clinical evidence of active liver disease or increased baseline serum transaminase levels (ALT exceeding 2.5 times upper limit of normal). Use of these agents is also not recommended in patients who have experienced jaundice during treatment with troglitazone. The use of troglitazone, another agent in the thiazolidinedione class, has been associated with clinically significant elevations in liver enzymes, reversible jaundice, and idiosyncratic hepatocellular injury including rare cases of liver failure, liver transplants, and death. Injury has occurred after both short- and long-term treatment. While these effects have not been associated with other thiazolidinediones in clinical trials, concerns exist because of their structural similarities. In addition, isolated cases of hepatitis and hepatic enzyme elevations to 3 or more times the upper limit of normal have been reported with both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone during postmarketing use. Rarely, these events have involved hepatic failure with and without fatal outcome, although causality has not been established. Until more safety data are available, patients who are prescribed thiazolidinedione therapy should have serum transaminase levels checked at baseline and periodically thereafter as clinically necessary. Mild to moderate elevations (ALT less than or equal to 2.5 times ULN) require cautious use with more frequent monitoring to determine if the elevations resolve or worsen. Patients who develop potential symptoms of hepatic injury such as unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, and dark urine should have liver enzymes checked. Therapy should be withdrawn if ALT is elevated and persists above 3 times ULN or if jaundice develops.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Premenopausal Anovulation

Moderate Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: Premenopausal Anovulation

In premenopausal, anovulatory patients with insulin resistance, treatment with thiazolidinediones may result in resumption of ovulation. Due to improved insulin sensitivity, pregnancy can occur if adequate contraception is not used.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Type I Diabetes

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Diabetes Mellitus Type I, Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Thiazolidinediones exert their hypoglycemic effect only in the presence of insulin. Therefore, these agents should not be used in patients with type I diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Weight Gain

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Obesity

Thiazolidinediones can cause dose-related weight gain, which may be undesirable in obese patients attempting to lose weight. The mechanism of weight gain is unclear but probably involves a combination of fluid retention and fat accumulation. In postmarketing experience with rosiglitazone, there have been reports of unusually rapid increases in weight and increases in excess of that generally observed in clinical trials. Patients who experience such increases should be assessed for fluid retention and volume-related events such as excessive edema and congestive heart failure.

Thiazolidinediones (Includes Avandamet) ↔ Anemia

Minor Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility

Applies to: Anemia

Thiazolidinediones can cause slight decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit. In clinical studies, hemoglobin levels were reduced primarily within the first 4 to 12 weeks of therapy but remained relatively constant thereafter. These changes may be related to increased plasma volume and have rarely been associated with any significant hematologic clinical effects. Nevertheless, caution may be advisable when thiazolidinediones are prescribed to patients with certain anemias.

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Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone) drug Interactions

There are 681 drug interactions with Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone)

Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone) alcohol/food Interactions

There are 3 alcohol/food interactions with Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone)

See also...

• Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone) Side Effects
• Avandamet (metformin/rosiglitazone) Consumer Information

• Drug Interactions Checker

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