Avandia Heart Attacks
Prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, Avandia is the brand name of the drug compound rosiglitazone, and is often taken as part of an overall health plan that includes diet and exercise. Avandia has a number of side effects, many of them minor and well tolerated by most patients, but there has been an increase in the reporting of heart problems associated with the use of this drug.
Heart Attacks And/Or Heart Failure
As early as 2007 the FDA issued a warning about the possible link between Avandia and some reported heart problems. In July of 2010 the FDA went further and warned the medical industry about the conclusive evidence connecting the drug to heart failure and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Some of the medical reporting about the number of deaths associated with the use of Avandia are unsubstantiated, but most health professionals agree that there is indeed an increased risk for heart problems in patients currently using the drug Avandia. This is especially true if the patient has a history of cardiovascular problems, has diabetes or has suffered a stroke in the past. Several FDA officials have made public statements expressing their desire to remove Avandia from the market and recommend other diabetes medications instead.
Currently Avandia has a restriction applied to its use; doctors can only prescribe this drug if it is determined that alternative treatments for Type 2 diabetes are ineffective.
Other Side Effects Of Avandia
Headache, dizziness, nausea and sweating are the most common side effects of using Avandia. The sudden halting of its use by patients can result in symptoms generally associated with hypoglycemia. Most patients report mild side effects in the first one or two weeks of using the product, but these symptoms often disappear over the course of the next month.
The Legal Controversy
Because of the medical data that links so many heart problems to the use of Avandia, the focus of controversy is centered on the drug’s continued approval by the FDA and other health regulators worldwide. On the positive side there is little doubt in the medical community about the drug’s effectiveness in regulating blood sugar levels. On the negative side is the fact that a number of people have died from heart failure while taking the product, and there are a several other Type 2 diabetes medications on the market that perform similarly to Avandia and do not seem to pose a risk for heart attack or stroke. At present, it is not known whether the FDA committee reviewing Avandia will decide to pull the product or further restrict its use.
Patients Concerned About Their Legal Rights
Anyone who is currently taking Avandia as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes is strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel for further information on this product. Attorneys in the medical field are openly accepting medical claims concerning Avandia, and patients who feel they have been prescribed Avandia when an alternative treatment was available are advised to contact those professionals that deal with this issue.
Avandia continues to be labeled as an effective drug for people with Type 2 diabetes, but the mounting evidence that its use leads to increased risk for heart problems in one out of every 60 users is a serious statistic. Those who believe that their use of this medication is causing health problems should seek advice from their doctor without delay.
