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Avandia Medication

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Avandia medicine is an oral tablet that is prescribed to help control blood sugar levels in patients with type-2 diabetes. Produced by GlaxoSmithKline, Avandia is not indicated for individuals with type-1 diabetes.

Avandia medication is intended for the treatment of diabetes. Despite the FDA hoping Avandia medication would provide a safer result for diabetes patients following the recall of another diabetes drug (Rezulin), the FDA stated Avandia medication only appeared to be safer. Public Citizen consumer group had been very actively trying to have Rezulin removed from the market but never found Avandia medication to be a safer alternative.

Although Avandia has been an effective diabetes medication for over 10 years, a 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Avandia medicine can increase patients' risk of suffering a heart attack by up to 43 percent.

Because Avandia heart attacks and other side effects can be fatal, it's vital that Avandia patients (or prospective Avandia patients):

• Take the time to learn about the range of and risk factors for Avandia side effects.
• Discuss their complete medical history and current medication regimen with their doctors.
• Get regular exams to monitor their health while taking Avandia.
• Seek immediate medical care upon developing Avandia injuries.
  

It's also a good idea for injured patients, once they have recovered, to meet with an Avandia lawyer and find out if they have a legal claim. Most affected Avandia patients will be entitled to compensation for their injuries.

Serious Avandia medication side effects can be life threatening instances like cardiac events, including failure, and hepatic risks. Avandia medication maker, GlaxoSmithKline was warned on several occasions that the Avandia medication promotions did not accurately warn patients of the potential dangers that were found to occur in some Avandia medication users. Despite several FDA Avandia warnings, medication manufacturers failed to adequately respond to the agency's warnings, resulting in the FDA finally issuing a Warning Letter to the company.

Avandia medication has serious risks, especially if taken by certain individuals, so it is important to have individual assessments by a qualified physician before beginning any drug regimen such as Avandia medication.

Avandia Medicine Side Effects

Some patients taking the Avandia drug will develop the following serious side effects:

• congestive heart failure
• heart attack
• stroke
• liver toxicity
• severe allergic reaction
• severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar)

Those with the highest risk of experiencing the above Avandia side effects include patients who:

• Have a history of heart problems, stroke, liver disorders, hypertension and/or severe allergic reaction
• Take certain medications, including diuretics, asthma drugs, thyroid medications, anti-epileptic medicines and/or contraceptive pills.

Avandia Medicine Warnings

For those who start (or are currently on) an Avandia medicine regimen, being aware of all Avandia warnings – and abiding by them – will help minimize the chances that patients will develop severe, potentially fatal Avandia side effects.

Vital Avandia warnings include:

• Avoid taking Avandia with insulin (unless prescribed to do so by your doctor). This drug combination can increase patients' risk of developing an Avandia heart attack.
• Do NOT drink alcohol when taking Avandia, as alcohol consumption puts Avandia patients at risk of developing serious cases of hypoglycemia.
• Only take Avandia medicine as indicated. In most cases, patients will be prescribed to take 2mg, 4mg or 8mg Avandia doses once or twice per day.
• Seek immediate medical care if you overdose on Avandia medicine.

Avandia Lawsuits

Despite the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Avandia warnings, some patients will still be injured – or, in the worst cases, die – after taking Avandia medicine.

Affected individuals and/or their families should seek legal counsel after following through with all necessary Avandia treatments. By meeting with a personal injury lawyer, prospective plaintiffs can:

• Find out if they have a provable case against GlaxoSmithKline.
• Learn more about the process of filing, pursuing and winning an Avandia lawsuit.
• Get information about settlements in cases similar to their own.
• Decide whether they want to stand up for their legal rights with an individual claim or a class action Avandia lawsuit.

Most Avandia lawyers offer free consultations and work on contingency to encourage injured Avandia patients to pursue the compensation they deserve.

If You Have Been Injured by Avandia

Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Avandia? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Avandia attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.

For answers to your questions, please contact us. 

Avandia Linked to Pulmonary Edema and Heart Failure

September 8, 2003

In 2000, Rezulin diabetes drug was recalled after being linked to dozens of fatal liver disease instances. The FDA announced at the time of Rezulin recall that Actos and Avandia were safer alternative in "this important class of diabetes drug," which Rezulin was the first FDA approved drug of the newest class. Public Citizen consumer group criticized the FDA for waiting too long to issue the Rezulin recall and remained skeptical that other drugs, such as Avandia, would not also cause problems.

Now, a new study published in the September 9 issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings has reported that congestive heart failure can occur in Avandia patients. Already known to cause fluid accumulation, Avandia is now being discouraged from use amongst anyone with a history of congestive heart failure or chronic renal insufficiency until further Avandia studies have been performed.