What you should know about Avandia
Avandia (rosiglitazonemaleate) is an FDA approved drug used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, a serious condition affecting approximately 20 million Americans. Since its approval in 1992, the drug has been prescribed to as many as 10 million Americans, thousands of whom--according to one expert--have suffered Avandia-related heart problems.

Over the years, Avandia has been linked to various side effects including:

• Congestive heart failure, edema,
  and fluid retention
• Liver toxicity
• Low blood pressure

The findings published by the NEJM, however, are raising new concerns about the extent of the heart risks associated with Avandia. In an analysis of 40 studies and more than 28,000 patients, researchers found that those taking Avandia were between 30 to 40 percent more likely to suffer heart attack and heart-related death than those taking a placebo or other diabetes drug. As of May 2009, the FDA said data analyses were ongoing to confirm the risks.

Avandia side effects:
The side effects an individual may suffer typically depends on a number of factors, including a person's overall health and medical history. Depending on these and other factors, Avandia side effects can range from mild to life threatening.

Some of the more mild Avandia side effects include headache, fatigue, back pain, and sinusitis, among others. However, Avandia has also been linked to more dangerous side effects such as:

• Severe chest pain or angina
• Congestive heart failure
• Myocardial infarction or heart attack
• Stroke
• Severe Allergic reactions

Individuals who are taking Avandia and experience fluid retention or swelling, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness or increase in weight should consult with a physician immediately.

In 2000, Rezulin diabetes drug was recalled after being linked to dozens of fatal liver disease instances. The FDA announced at the time of the Rezulin recall that Actos and Avandia were safer alternatives for managing Type 2 diabetes. At the time, the consumer group Public Citizen criticized the FDA for waiting too long to issue the Rezulin recall and remained skeptical that other drugs, such as Avandia, would not also cause problems.

Symptoms of Avandia side effects include:
These potential side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Blurry vision
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain
• Stroke
• Confusion and/or disorientation
• Increased appetite and thirst
• Nausea
• Skin rashes and/or hives
• Stomach pain

Avandia in the News

• 2/22/2010 - FDA Drug Safety
  Communication: Ongoing review
  of Avandia
• 2/20/2010 - Senate Finance Committee
  Blasts Avandia Drug
• 2/20/2010 - Possible Avandia Recall
  After Avandia Senate Report

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