Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog
The New York Times has reported that the drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes, Avandia, is causing heart attacks and heart failure in diabetics. As a result, officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are recommending that the drug be pulled from the market.
In 2007, a study by the Cleveland Clinic showed that heart risks could be associated with the use of Avandia, however a definite link could not be proven. Now the New York Times reports that in the third quarter of 2009, Avandia was linked to 304 deaths.
The reports say that if patients being treated for diabetes were given a similar, safer pill, called Actos, that nearly 500 heart attacks and 300 cases of heart failure could be avoided every month.
Controversy has surrounded the drug for years: some officials believe there is a safer drug alternative; others believe the drug should remain an option for doctors and patients since the evidence that Avandia could cause heart problems is inconclusive. But the times reports that a Senate investigation concluded that Avandia’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, should have warned patients earlier of the drug’s risks. An FDA advisory committee will decide whether Avandia should continue to be sold.
If you or someone you love is currently taking Avandia to treat Type 2 diabetes and has experienced a heart attack or heart failure, it could be linked to use of this drug. Contact the product liability attorneys at O’Connor Law for a free consultation.