A study in the
June 14, 2007,
New England Journal of Medicine reports that
patients who take Avandia to reduce blood sugar levels are:
-
43 percent more likely to have a heart attack
than patients given other medicines or a placebo;
-
64 percent more likely to die of heart disease
The findings
are frightening because two-thirds of the people with
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, die of heart
problems. Any drug that boosts this possibility is
especially hazardous.
The
Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) on May 21, 2007,
issued a safety alert on Avandia, manufactured by
GlaxoSmithKline, recommending that patients who take the
medicine discuss the heart risk with their doctors. If
you are taking the medication now,
do not stop taking the medicine without talking with your
doctor first.
The
study and alert raise fresh questions about drug
manufacturers’ role in marketing drugs despite known risks
and dangers. Glaxo has acknowledged that its own
similar review found a 30 percent increased risk , but said
more rigorous studies did not bear that out. The safety
alert has united
consumer groups, doctors and members of Congress in calling
for an overhaul of the FDA, Congressional hearings are
scheduled June 6.
If you or a
loved one has suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking
Avandia, you may have a legal case. The Florida trial law
firm
Babbittt, Johnson, Osborne & Le Clainche of West Palm
Beach has obtained significant results against
pharmaceutical companies on behalf of consumers throughout
the country.
Let us
investigate your case
Call
888-666-0523 toll-free for a FREE consultation
(561-684-2500
in Palm Beach County)
No charge
unless you win a recovery |
