AVANDIA SIDE EFFECTS AND HEART ATTACK RISKS

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that Avandia, a widely prescribed type 2 diabetes medication, may actually increase the risk of heart attacks and possibly death in patients who use the drug.

Background:

Researchers found that patients using Avandia had a 43 percent increased risk of heart attack. The study also found that people taking Avandia may be at a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular problems by as much as 64 percent. The studies included about 28,000 patients, 15,560 of them were taking Avandia. After learning the results of the study, the FDA issued a safety alert urging type 2 diabetics taking Avandia to see their doctors.

The FDA has also requested that GlaxoSmithKline add a black box warning to Avandia's label. This type of warning appears on prescription drugs that may cause serious side effects. The black box warning for Avandia would alert patients of the risk of congestive heart failure as a result of using this drug.

Avandia is taken by 1 million Americans with type 2 diabetes to help control their blood sugar levels. Manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, Avandia was approved by the FDA in 1999.

House Committee Hearings:

Recently, hearings have been held so that lawmakers can listen to testimony from doctors, regulators and GlazoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Avandia. Testimony was focused on whether enough was done by GlaxoSmithKline to warn the public of the serious and potentially life threatening side effects involved with taking Avandia.

Heath Risks and Symptoms:

• Higher risk of heart attack
• Higher risk of heart-related deaths
• Liver problems
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Fainting/loss of consciousness

Additional Information:

• 7.30.07: Diabetes Drug Avandia Should Be Removed From the Market, Public Citizen Tells FDA Advisory Committee, citizen.org
• 5.21.07: FDA Issues Safety Alert on Avandia, fda.gov
• New Safety Information on Diabetes Drug Rosiglitazone (Avandia), fda.gov

What can you do?

If you have experienced any serious side effects associated with your use of Avandia, you are urged to seek medical attention. It may also be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your potential legal claim. If you would like more information, or would just like to talk with a lawyer experienced in this litigation, please call attorney Ron Goldser at 1.800.755.0098 for a free consultation or click here to fill out an online free case review.