Consumer Guide to Diabetes Products

Thiazolidinediones (also know as Glitazones)

These drugs work on muscle cells, making them more sensitive to insulin. Diabetes New Zealand recommends consumers taking Rosiglitazone (Avandia)  talk to their GP or diabetes specialist about whether or not to change their medication following reports that clinical trials in the United States have shown an increased risk of heart attacks or heart-related deaths in patients taking this medication.

Pharmaceutical Name Manufacturer's Name Manufacturer/ Distributor Presentation Availability Subsidy Level
Pioglitazone Actos1Picture of Actos tablets Eli Lilly Aluminium blister pack of 28 tablets.
  • 15 mg tabs White to off white round convex tablets marked with a "15" on one face and "ACTOS" on the other.
  • 30 mg tabs White to off white round flat tablets marked with a "30" on one face and "ACTOS" on the other.
  • 45 mg tabs White to off white round flat tablets marked with a "45" on one face and "ACTOS" on the other
 Three month supply can be dispensed all-at-once but Special Authority is required.2 Fully subsidised
Rosiglitazone Avandia3Picture of Avandia tablets GSK
  • 4 mg tabs Orange pentagonal (five sided) tablet
    •         
  • 8 mg tabs Red brown pentagonal (five sided) tablet
 GP prescription required to purchase through a pharmacy .These tablets can also be obtained through Diabetes Supplies Limited. There is no subsidy on this item. The retail price is determined by the Pharmacy.4 mg tabs will cost around $82 for 28 tabs8 mg tabs will cost around $151 for 28 tablets.

View information about other oral medications:

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  1. For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter "Actos" in the search field. ↩

  2. Special Authority is an application process in which a prescriber requires approval from PHARMAC to be able to prescribe for a particular person ↩

  3. For detailed information follow the link to Medsafe Consumer Medicines Information, and enter "Avandia" in the search field. ↩

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