Avandia (generic: rosiglitazone) is a prescription medication used to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Avandia belongs to a group of drugs called thiazolidinediones. It can help your body respond better to insulin. 

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of Avandia include new or worse heart failure, headache, and cold-like symptoms. Because rosiglitazone has been associated with heart attack and stroke, Avandia is available only through the Avandia-Rosiglitazone Medicines Access Program. Both you and your doctor must be enrolled in the program.