Avandia and Actos, both drugs for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes, have been found to increase the risk of heart failure; way back in 2007, the FDA required the drugs carry a black box warning, which is the strongest warning the Food and Drug Administration can issue to a drug manufacturer. Avandia is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and Actos is made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.
The American Diabetes Association will soon publish a study performed by Harvard researchers that focused on 26,375 diabetic patients who took Avandia from 2000 to 2006. This group was compared to another group who took Actos during the same time period. Researchers were looking for a link between the drugs and the occurrence of myocardial infarction (heart attack). This study found that patients taking Avandia were twice as likely to suffer cardiac problems as those taking Actos.
While Glaxo has conducted its own study and the Mayo Clinic did similarly, with differing results, the basic idea is the same: the public must know that these drugs can be dangerous, especially if you have mild heart disease or any kidney problems.
At the time of this writing, approximately 13,000 people have filed personal injury lawsuits against Glaxo after taking Avandia and suffering some form of cardiac distress.
If you have been harmed or if you have lost a loved one due to a defective drug, you should contact a product liability attorney in your area today to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation.