Avandia

Los Angeles Avandia Complication Attorneys

Black Box Warning

On November 14, 2007 the FDA issued a black box warning, the strongest and most serious warning the FDA can use, for Avandia because of high risk of heart failure. The black box warning, which is used to inform patients that a drug can pose serious health risks, states explicitly that taking Avandia can cause heart attacks. People across America are currently filing lawsuits against the manufacturer of Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline, for failure to warn of these serious side effects.

What is Avandia?

Avandia, also known as Rosiglitazone, is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not use insulin normally, altering the amount of sugar in the blood. Avandia counters this altered blood sugar by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. It was approved by the FDA in 1999 and with the help of diet and exercise, it acts to control a person’s blood sugar levels. About 6 million people with Type 2 diabetes are currently using Avandia.

Risks and Side Effects

Avandia has been linked to an increased risk of heart related diseases, stroke, and liver failure. Studies performed by the FDA confirm that taking Avandia for Type 2 diabetes can increase a patient’s risk of heart attack by 43% and risk of a cardiac-related death by 64%. Contact your doctor if you or anyone you know has experienced any of the following complications:

• Liver failure
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart disease
• Heart-related deaths