Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate), the popular diabetes drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, has been linked to a high risk of heart attack and congestive heart failure. It is prescribed by physicians for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (also referred to as adult onset diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is a serious and life threatening disease that affects about 18 to 20 million Americans. Diabetes is a leading cause of coronary heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure and limb amputation. In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the body is less sensitive to insulin. Avandia reduces the body's resistance to insulin but also causes fluid retention, which has been identified as a risk factor for congestive heart failure.

Avandia has been prescribed to more than 6 million Americans since its approval. Since the drug was approved, FDA has been monitoring several heart-related adverse events (e.g., fluid retention, edema and congestive heart failure) based on signals seen in previous controlled clinical trials of Avandia alone and in combination with other drugs, and from postmarketing reports. The FDA has updated the product's labeling on several occasions to reflect these new data, most recently in 2006. Label changes for Avandia also included new warnings about a potential increase in heart attacks and heart-related chest pain in some individuals using Avandia.

Despite the concerns about the potential dangers of Avandia use, it remains on the market. With more than 6 million prescriptions written for the drug in the past eight years, it is important for patients using the drug to be aware of the potential health risks associated with the medication. If you or a loved one has suffered heart-related problems after taking Avandia, contact us.