Avandia's Serious Safety Problems

Summer 2010

In the third quarter of 2009, Avandia had the dubious distinction of ranking first among all prescribed drugs in the number of serious, disability and fatal problems reported to the FDA, including over 300 deaths reported to the FDA in the third quarter alone.[1] Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Avandia is a drug for Type 2 diabetics designed to help keep blood sugar levels stable. But, it has been associated with multiple safety issues, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure and bone fractures.[2] In 2009, GSK reported the results of a five-year study which showed a twice as many patients on Avandia experienced heart failure causing hospital admission or death than those in the control group.[3] In February 2010, the FDA announced it conducting a safety review of the drug, with results expected in July 2010.[4]

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is investigating potential claims on behalf of Avandia patients. If you wish to speak to us about a potential claim or an injury caused by Avandia, please call Kathy Neuman, R.N., B.S.N. at 1-800-553-9910 or contact her via email at contact us.

[1] http://www.ismp.org/quarterwatch/2009Q3.pdf
[2] PD Home et al. Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiovascular Outcomes in oral agent combination therapy for type 2 diabetes (RECORD): a multicentre, randomized open-label trial. Lancet. 2009; 373 (9681):2125-2135; YK Loke et al. Long-term use of thiazolidinediones and fractures in type 2 diabetes: a meta analysis. CMAJ. 2009; 180(1):32-9.
[3] PD Home, supra note 7.
[4] http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm201418.htm#sa

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