New studies are increasingly warning in nature when it comes to the new diabetes drug, Avandia. Makers of Avandia, GlaxoSmithKline, repeatedly deny accusations that the drug increases risk of heart attack and death, but reports show otherwise. The FDA has released a statment acknowledging these contradicatory studies urging patients who have had previous heart problems to talk with their doctors before starting or continuing with the drug.
New warnings come from short-term clinical studies that are available to the public. When compared to other diabetic medications, Avandia showed an increase in heart attack risk by 43% and risk of death by a shocking 64%. The report in its entirety will be published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Avandia: Worth the Risk?
Approved in 1999, Avandia was accepted on its the basis that it could decrease blood-sugar levels in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Diabetes main and most damaging symptoms include blindess, loss of circulation and kidney failure; all categorized as microvascular problems. However, Avandia has not shown itself to prevent or treat arguably, these most damaging diabetic threats. Researcher at the University of Washington, Bruce Psaty is quoted as saying “There is no good reason for[...]patients to take Avandia.”
He goes on to note “The purpose of reducing blood sugar is to prevent cardiovascular events. Now te possiblity of cardiovascular benefit associated with Avandia appear remote– indeed it appears linked to harm. So the rationale for prescribing it at this time is just not clear.”
FDA Protecting Big Drug Companies?
Nearly six years ago an internal FDA memo shows dangers of Avandia were common knowledge. In 2002, a letter sent to commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach, recommended amending the label so that warnings of heart failings on the medication were present. To date, this change has never occurred. This is truly unfortunate because since then, several thousand people have been prescribed this pharmaceutical drug. The same memo goes on to state hospitalization cases on test patients using Avandia as well as another diabetic drug, Actos. Several have called for the FDA to put a warning on the label or ban them altogether, but no such change has been made, much less acknowledged by the establishment.
Avandia, the Facts.
Avandia is linked in the same group of drugs as Rezulin. This drug was recalled due to the overwhelming liver related deaths while people were using the medication. Avandia users have reported harmful side effects including cardiac events, including failure, and risks hepatic in nature. Not only more dangerous, Avandia is also more expensive than older diabetes drugs, and LESS effective. Choosing Avandia as your medication could have deadly consequences, and several panels of doctors and researchers are calling to have it pulled from the market.
Before taking any prescription medication, you should have a serious conversation with your doctor. Every antibiotic poses serious risk of harmful, potentially fatal side effects. Natural alternatives are void of any and all side effects due to their organic nature. Products like this are becoming highly sought after due to their effectiveness and more importantly, their safety.
