Avandia Overview
The
diabetes drug
Avandia is
produced, marketed, and distributed by the pharmaceutical giant
GlaxoSmithKline. The drug is an anti-diabetic made primarily from
rosiglitazone
maleate , which
falls under the thiazolidinedione class of prescription therapies.
Introduced in the 1990s, thiazolidinedione class medications bind to
specific chemical receptors in the body, making insulin in the body
more effective at regulating blood sugar levels and solving many of
the problems experienced by adult sufferers of type II diabetes. GlaxoSmithKline
distributes two other forms of rosglitazone. One is called Avandamet,
and is created by combining rosiglitazone with metformin. Metformin
is another popular and commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug. In
fact, it is the most popular therapy in the world on the market right
now. GlaxoSmithKline also offers a version that contains glimepiride,
called Avandaryl.
Although
many people report drastic improvements in their overall quality of
life while taking these drugs, they do come with side effects. In
fact, anyone who has ever taken or is currently taking these drugs
should be aware of some recent Avandia
information
indicating that they may not be completely safe. The unfortunate
truth is that these medications may cause painful or even
life-threatening complications. As
recently as 2007, medical information about Avandia
side effects
began listing life-threatening maladies, including pulmonary edema,
or the collection of liquid in the lungs as a result of Avandia
fluid retention .
This issue is treatable with options as simple as additional oxygen
and vitamins, but only if the victim makes it to the hospital on
time. Without proper and timely attention, the sickness can prove
fatal in a large portion of the population. For this reason, be sure
to call a health care professional immediately, or visit the local
hospital, if you experience any of the following issues while taking
any medication that contains rosiglitazone: • Difficulty
breathing • A
pronounced feeling of suffocation resulting from breathing problems • Wheezing
or gasping • Anxiety • Coughing
up froth or blood • Sweating • Pale
skin • Chest
pain • Irregular
heartbeat It is
important to note that diabetics, because of their treatments, immune
systems, and genetic predispositions, experience a significantly
higher risk of the rosiglitazone
side effects
listed above, as well as many other problems, including congestive
heart failure and heart disease.
Many
victims are upset that therapy for their life-long illness may be
increasing their overall Avandia
cardiovascular risk
for complications such as heart disease. In fact, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has received so many confirmed complaints of
debilitating heart complications that they have since required
GlaxoSmithKline to put a “black box” Avandia
warning on the
prescription information and product packaging. This is the strongest
warning that can be placed on any legal drug. According
to many Avandia
attorneys , the
dangerous diabetes
drug also
garnered attention from the FDA because of a probable link to
dangerous fluid retention complications. This fluid can accumulate in
various places around the body, most notably the lungs (pulmonary
edema) or under the skin. Symptoms include: Increased
thirst Increased
urination Increased
hunger Unexplained
weight loss Unexplained
fatigue Blurred
vision Slow-healing
sores Frequent
infections Areas
of darkened skin
If
you have ever taken Avandia, Avandamet, or Avandaryl, or any other
rosiglitazone, and your doctor or physician has diagnosed any of the
resulting illnesses listed above, you may be eligible for monetary
compensation for your pain and suffering. Avandia
law firms can
help you determine if you are eligible to join an existing Avandia
lawsuit , or begin
one of your own. To find out if you qualify, contact one of our
responsible attorneys today.
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