The Diabetes Drug Avandia May Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease
In
2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered GlaxoSmithKline,
a pharmaceutical giant that produces and markets many prescription
and non-prescription drugs in the United States, to place “black
box” warnings on packaging and medical information that comes with
the diabetes drug Avandia. The black box warning is the most severe
warning that can be distributed on medication that is legally
prescribed by health care professionals. The warning signifies that
there is a proven link between the medication and serious adverse
reactions, and is reserved for the literature describing therapies
that could cause extremely painful maladies or even death.
The
diabetes drug Avandia was released in 1999, along with two other
drugs based on an anti-diabetic compound called rosiglitazone. The
brand name version contains only these drugs, which improves insulin
resistance levels in victims of type II diabetes. Another version is
called Avandamet, which is combined with America’s most popular
anti-diabetic drug, known as metformin, which has a few mild
contraindications, including gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. In
rare cases, patients with renal failure and poor liver function
develop lactic acidosis. The third therapy that was released is
called Avandaryl, which consists of rosiglitazone mixed with
glimepiride, which carries slight risks of similar nature. But
in 2007, two studies were released that positively linked the
medication to several painful ailments and deaths. One of the studies
focused on bone density issues, especially in post-menopausal women.
In a significantly high number of these cases, patients receiving the
medication developed fractures and breaks in the extremities,
including the hands, arms, legs, and feet. However, the bone cracks
and bruises are relatively mild compared to the adverse reactions
reported in the other study. The
other study that led to the establishment of the FDA requirement for
the stringent Avandia
warning reported
a direct causal link to abnormal fluid buildup, jaundice, and heart
failure. While jaundice can take time to develop, there are some very
clear telltale signs, including yellow skin, stomach pain, nausea,
and yellowing of the skin and eyes. If you experience any of these
issues, contact your healthcare immediately for a test of liver
function. Even
more troubling than liver failure, however, are heart failure and
pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema exists when abnormal fluid buildup
occurs in the lungs. This can be caused by your diabetes medication.
Left untreated, it will eventually lead to death. Heart disease can
also be caused by the medication, and may result in complete heart
failure. Some early warning signs of this condition include: If
you have taken any of the drugs above, and have experienced any of
the symptoms described, contact a health care professional
immediately. Make sure that you receive proper documentation of any
and all medical complications. If your doctor or physician confirms
that you are experiencing problems caused by your diabetic therapy,
contact an attorney now to determine if you are eligible to take part
in a lawsuit to gain recompense.
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Avandia Lawsuits Attorneys
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