Avandia News

Major Medical Alert: Diabetes drug Avandia responsible for monthly heart attacks and heart failures

-Examiner

02/24/2010 - Good Morning America reported that a Senate report released on Monday shows that the Diabetes drug Avandia is responsible for 500 heart attacks and 300 heart failures monthly. But yet, the FDA has not removed the drug from the market. Why is this? One would think with findings such as these, it would be removed immediately and users would be told to stop taking the medication and seek alternatives. Dr. Richard Besser called the report "concerning" and says that with use of the drug, the risk of a heart attack goes up 43% as compared to other diabetes drugs. He goes on to say, what is most disturbing is the fact that the company was aware of the heart problems long before they were reported to the FDA. What is even scarier is the fact that even with this knowledge, they were actively marketing the drug as "safe".

In July 2007, an outside panel of experts convened by the FDA voted 20-3 that Avandia did raise heart attack risks, but also voted 22-1 to recommend keeping the drug on the market. The FDA felt it was better to put people at risk with a "black box warning" than to remove the drug altogether due to the epidemic of diabetes. They wanted to ensure doctors had drug options available to treat the condition. The FDA also feels that the risk of having diabetes is more than the risk of the drug itself. In a press release GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of Avandia, rejected the findings of the Senate report.

Dr. Bessler recommends to not stop taking the drug due to the risk of uncontrolled blood sugars. He suggests that consumers speak with their doctors to ask if there is an alternative that will control their blood sugar without the heart attack risk.

The FDA is going to reconvene their panel in the summer to once again review data. They have started a trial of Avandia against Actos but due to the concerns, doctors are not enrolling their patients in the trial. Dr, Bessler says they are going to have to come to a conclusion based on the existing data.

The Strelitz Diabetes Institute located in Norfolk, Virginia is committed to research, education, and support of diabetes in the Hampton Roads area.

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If you or a loved one have experienced an Avandia heart attack, or Avandia stroke, Avandia congestive heart failure, Avandia cardiovascular disease or if you have lost a loved one to an Avandia death you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Avandia lawyers of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today about an Avandia lawsuit. Call us toll free for a free, confidential case evaluation or fill out our online Avandia case evaluation form