Avandia

On the heels of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official safety alert, a new internal FDA report obtained by The New York Times has recommended Avandia (rosiglitazone) be pulled from the market.  The confidential report states that if everyone taking Avandia were switched to a similar type 2 diabetes medication, the resulting effect would be 500 fewer cases of heart attack and 300 fewer cases of heart failure every month.  Avandia itself has been linked to 304 deaths over 3 months in 2009.

According to The New York Times article, found here, the FDA has been struggling with what to do with Avandia for some time now.  Many within the agency want to pull Avandia off the market, noting safer alternatives.  Hundreds of thousands of patients still take Avandia, despite all the warnings and some doctors refusal to prescribe the drug.  Expect a big deal to be made of these revelations.

Earlier, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a safety alert on Avandia.  Clinical trials showed a possible link between Avandia and an increased risk of heart attack, heard disease, or other heart-related injury.  An analysis of 42 trials suggested that patients who have been taking Avandia for 6 months had a 30-40% greater risk of heart attack.  The new concerns from the FDA seem to be an escalation in the battle over Avandia.

Avandia is prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes.  Avandia is designed to help control blood sugar by regulating the body's response to insulin.  The safety alert and new report issued by the FDA has not led to a recall of the drug, but was issued as a warning of potential adverse reactions to the drug.  We will be sure to let you know if Avandia is recalled.

If you or a loved one has experienced a heart attack or other adverse heart event while taking Avandia, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can help.  Our firm is a highly recognized legal practice with the experience necessary to maximize your recovery.  Our experienced pharmaceutical litigation attorneys have consistently concluded even the most difficult cases.  To schedule a FREE, confidential, no obligation consultation, send us an email using our case submission form or call us at (800) 333-0000.  At Larry H. Parker, if we don't get you any money, we won't charge you a dime. 

The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker practices in all of California and Arizona with offices in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Riverside, Bakersfield, Fresno, Phoenix, and Tucson.

Avandia® is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.