Another FDA Approved!!!

Food and Drug Administration Orders Warnings Added to Avandia Packaging

 On May 21, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration issued a public safety alert about the diabetes drug Avandia, warning users of the greatly increased risk of heart failure in people taking the drug. The notice came on the heels of a New England Journal of Medicine study, which found people who took the drug had a 43% increase in the risk of heart attack and a 64% increase in the risk of death from all cardiovascular causes.

The FDA also ordered Avandia's maker, GlaxoSmithKline, to add a prominent "Black Box" warning to the drug's packaging to tell users about the increased risks of congestive heart failure and cardiovascular disease.

The FDA warnings also cautioned Type 2 diabetes patients who have underlying heart disease or are at high risk of heart attack to talk with their health care provider about their treatment options. Physicians and other health care providers were cautioned to closely monitor patients who take Avandia for cardiovascular risks.

Watch for Signs of Heart Failure

People being treated for Type 2 diabetes are at risk of suffering heart failure or other negative side effects from Avandia. The drug is commonly prescribed to diabetes patients and has proven successful in promoting a patient's response to insulin treatments. After beginning Avandia or increasing your dosage, patients should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of heart failure. The symptoms of heart failure may include:

• Excessive, rapid weight gain
• Edema (swelling)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries after taking diabetes drug Avandia we encourage you to seek legal help.