Avandia Increases Risk of Heart Attack
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The widely prescribed diabetes drug Avandia was found in a recent study to increase the risk of heart attack in patients by 43%. The findings of the recent study will be published in June 14 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The findings were released early due to their significance.
The new study evaluated 42 previous studies that had compared patients on Avandia to those not taking the medication. The study included 28,000 individuals 15,560 of whom were currently using the medication. According to HealthDay, “the researchers found the risk of a heart attack was increased 43 percent among those taking Avandia, and there was a 64 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular causes, compared with patients not taking the drug.”
The studies authors Dr. Bruce M. Psaty, of the University of Washington, and Curt D. Furberg, of Wake Forest University, both diabetes experts stated, “In view of the potential cardiovascular risks and in the absence of evidence of other health advantages, except for laboratory measures of glycemic [blood sugar] control, the rationale for prescribing rosiglitazone at this time is unclear.”
The maker of Avandia GlaxoSmithKline defended themselves by saying, “GSK "strongly disagrees with the conclusions reached in the New England Journal of Medicine article, which are based on incomplete evidence and a methodology that the author admits has significant limitations."
Avandia is currently prescribed to more than 2 million diabetics worldwide and is currently generating 3.2 billion in annual sales.
The study authors concluded, “Until more precise estimates of cardiovascular risk of this treatment can be delineated in patients with diabetes, patients and providers should carefully consider the potential of rosiglitazone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.” Visit this Consumer Advocacy website for more information on ordering from an online Mexican pharmacy
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