According to a study released Dec. 10, prolonged use of the drug, Avandia, increases the risk of bone fractions in women who have type-2 diabetes by two-fold. The study, released in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, concluded that women who use Avandia for more than a year have a heightened risk of thinned bones.
The study noted that the increased risk was only found in women, not men. Researchers used the analysis of ten studies that had already been conducted. Combined, the studies involved 13,715 patients.
What is Avandia?
Avandia is a drug designed to treat Type-2 diabetes, a condition that has affected nearly 20 million Americans. Avandia, made by GlaxoSmithKline was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. Since it hit the markets, there have been several reports of its negative side effects, including:
- Liver toxicity
- Low blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart complications
An earlier study revealed that patients treated with Avandia are 30 to 40 percent more likely to have a heart attack or experience another heart-related death than those who have never been exposed to the drug.
New Study Reveals Additional Health Risks
Authors of the study have hypothesized that prolonged exposure to Avandia may cause fat cells to replace bone marrow, which would result in weakened, brittle bones. The authors have noted, however, that more testing will need to be done to determine why it occurs in women and not men.
(Source: Top News)
If You Have Been Injured By Avandia
If you or someone you love has suffered bone fractures, or other injuries as a result of an Avandia treatment, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses. To speak with a qualified defective drug attorney, contact us today.
