Avandia is the brand name of a prescription drug (rosiglitazone) used to help control blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. However, it is often associated with its harmful side effects. Some studies have shown that it causes an increase risk of heart attacks, and lawsuits have sprung-up across the country over it.
A company called GlaxoSmithKline first marked Avandia. Some dispute whether Avandia causes heart attacks. Nevertheless, it is a highly scrutinized prescription medication. If you, or a loved one, have taken Avandia and suffered any harmful side effects, a drug lawyer may be able to help you.
The Risks of Avandia
Avandia is an oral medication and, along with other medications, can be as a course of treatment for Type 2 diabetes. It is not used for Type 1 diabetes or for people who are non-insulin dependent. In 2001, the FDA issued a warning to its maker, GlaxoSmithKline, because the company was not entirely forthright about the drug’s risks in its promotional materials.
Despite known safety concerns over Avandia, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not removed it from the market. The FDA advises Avandia users to take the drug exactly as prescribed and to discuss all other options of treatment before trying Avandia. The drug is no longer available in Europe.
The more serious side effects include a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, liver failure in Avandia patients, while rare, has occurred. Symptoms of liver failure include a yellowing of the skin, weakness and lack of energy, cloudy urine, abdominal discomfort and nausea.
Fever, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, sleeping difficulty, back pain and headaches are more common Avandia side effects. On the less serious side, ear congestion, muscle and joint pain, shivering and an increased risk of injury or fracture are the milder side effects.
Depending on the prescribed dosage, the patient takes Avandia once or twice a day. A proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes will also help to control Type 2 diabetes.
Critics have blamed the FDA for approving Avandia for market, and warning consumers about its dangerous, and sometimes deadly, side effects after the fact. The drug has a history of controversy and you should weigh the risks against the benefits. Studies have proven it a dangerous drug and you should have a full discussion with your doctor about all other options for treatment.