Avandia Heart Attack Dangers Hidden From Public, FDA Finds

The Diabetes drug Avandia is on trial today as a panel of outside experts advises the FDA on the risks and problems associated with the drug. New information has become available that not only did Avandia’s maker GlaxoSmithKline seem to ignore the risks associated with Avandia, but they also knew about them and attempted to cover them up.

According to a report by the New York Times, in 1999 GlaxoSmithKline conducted an internal study of Avandia to see how it compared to another popular Diabetes pill, Actos. The results of this study showed that Avandia posed a more significant heart threat and was riskier than Actos.

A GlaxoSmithKline executive wrote of these results in an internal e-mail message dated March 29, 2001, “These data should not see the light of day to anyone outside of GSK.” Comments like these have caused skepticism amongst the 33 panel members about GlaxoSmithKline’s trustworthiness.

Against the company’s wishes, Avandia’s potential to increase the risk of heart attacks and other heart problems was finally made public in May of 2007. In 2007 the FDA responded to the increased risk by adding a warning label to the drug.

This week the FDA must again make a decision about the fate of Avandia. It is expected that the FDA will add more warning labels to Avandia, limit which physicians can prescribe the drug, or recall Avandia completely. The story of Avandia’s past continues to unfold as the committee probes deeper into GlaxoSmithKline’s records.

You may be entitled to financial compensation through an Avandia lawsuit if you or someone you love has taken Avandia and suffered from a:

• Heart Attack
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Sudden Death
• Health problems directly related to the above injuries

If you or someone you love has suffered any of these side effects from taking the Diabetes drug Avandia, please contact an experienced Avandia lawyer toll-free at 1-800-732-3070 or fill out the short contact form online. Because we work on a contingency basis, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will pay absolutely nothing unless we recover on your behalf.

Avandia Heart Attack and Heart Failure Lawsuit

Many people with Type II Diabetes have taken the popular drug Avandia. Those currently taking the prescription Diabetes drug Avandia may want to be aware of some of its potentially fatal side effects. The Avandia side effects caused by the use of Avandia include:

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Sudden Death

One of the most serious potential side effects for user of Avandia is an increased risk of a heart attack. In fact, new medical studies have estimated that people taking Avandia are 33 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack than those taking other Diabetes medications.

Avandia works by making the body less insulin resistant. It is not for use in people who are suffering from Type I diabetes or who are on insulin therapy. Avandia is designed to treat type II Diabetes. For those with Type II Diabetes, the body may produce insulin, but it may not be enough or the body may have become resistant to it. Avandia works by making the body more insulin sensitive which helps a maintain control over blood glucose levels.

Manufacturers of the drug, GlaxoSmithKlein, have been made aware of an increased chance of Avandia induced heart failure or heart attacks, but they have not taken this medication off the market. Even now, the product is still prescribed to patients and has not been recalled. A vote on whether or not to recall Avandia is expected in July 2010.

Why You Need An Avandia Lawyer

If you are interested in seeking compensation for your Avandia use, you need a qualified Avandia lawyer that can help you with the process. You want make sure that your rights and dignity as a patient are being protected throughout the process. From determining whether you have a legal basis to demand compensation to finding witnesses and experts who are able to help you with your claim, the lawyers at

The McEwen Law Firm, Ltd. has the experience you need to deal with your case. We have dealt with clients across the United States and have helped finalize claims dealing with many areas of the medical industry. You may be entitled to financial compensation through an Avandia lawsuit if you or someone you love has taken Avandia and suffered from a:

• Heart Attack
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Stroke
• Sudden Death
• Health problems directly related to the above injuries

If you or someone you love has suffered any of these side effects from taking the Diabetes drug Avandia, please contact an experienced Avandia lawyer toll-free at 1-800-732-3070 or fill out the short contact form online. Because we work on a contingency basis, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will pay absolutely nothing unless we recover on your behalf.

Avandia Heart Attack Recall

There has not been a recall as of July 12th, 2010 on Avandia. If you have been taking Avandia (Rosiglitazone Maleate) to control your Type II diabetes and have suffered a heart attack or heart failure while on this medication you may have been surprised to find out that these two things may be directly linked. You may have also been surprised to learn that even though the drug had been on the shelves since 1999 and studies were pointing to an increased incidence of Avandia heart failure and myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack), GlaxoSmithKlein continued to keep this medication on the shelves and failed to warn patients of the potentially severe cardiovascular damage that could result.

A review of drug research by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that there was a 43% increase in the chances of developing severe and life threatening cardiovascular complications as a result of taking Avandia to control diabetes.

In 2006 Glaxo earned revenues of $2.2 billion from the sale of Avandia, making it the company’s third most profitable drug but after safety concerns became publicized, this total dropped to $1.2 billion in 2008. Even though there have been conclusive links between the use of Avandia and the increased chances of severe cardiovascular complications, the drug continues to be available commercially and the company continues to test the medication on patients.

Avandia side effects included shortness of breath, excessive weight gain and retention of fluid in the body which could tax the heart and lead to permanent and devastating heart failure. As well, the medication tended to reduce the heart’s ability to pump effectively which in turn could lead to patients suffering a Myocardial Infarction which is a type of heart attack that caused death in some users.

Additionally, findings showed that Actos (Pioglitazone HCL), a similar oral medication used to treat Type II diabetes had no increased incidence of heart attack or other cardiovascular complications. However, since both medications do carry an increased risk of fluid retention, it is advisable that people who may be at risk for heart failure should not take either one of these medications.

If you or someone you know have suffered cardiovascular complications such as Avandia Heart Failure or have had an Avandia Heart Attack as a direct result of taking Avandia to control your Type II diabetes, you may need to hire an Avandia lawyer in order to get the compensation you are entitled to. Whether this is to compensate you for lost wages, lost health or even loss of life, you need to approach your Avandia lawsuit by hiring a competent and experienced litigator.

The lawyers at the McEwen Law Firm have helped clients across the United States settle their legal disputes quickly and helped their clients access the money that they are entitled to. We have dealt not only with medical professionals but insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies so we understand patient rights and how to handle anything that the medical establishment may attempt in the course of your legal action.

We know how to protect our clients and get them the maximum amount of money while making the process as positive and stress free as possible. If you are interested in contacting the lawyers at the McEwen Law Firm you need to contact us at 800-732-3070 or fill out the form at the side of the page. Our lawyers will represent you on a contingency basis and will not charge you for legal representation unless you win and get the compensation you deserve. Don`t suffer any longer than you need to. Contact our lawyers today for a free consultation.

Avandia Side Effects

Avandia is an oral medication which was developed to help treat Type II diabetes. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKlein Plc and received initial approval in 1999. Unlike many of the other medications on the market, this medication was designed to make the body’s cells affected more easily by the effects of insulin.

Avandia was put on the market as a different way of treating Type II diabetes. In Type II diabetes, the body may become resistant to the action of insulin in the blood stream. When this medication is taken orally this tendency could be reversed and good control over blood sugar levels could be achieved.

One of the challenges to treating long term Type II diabetes is that it may take more than one type of therapy to achieve good control over blood glucose levels. Having a medication such as Avandia on board was believed to be a significant step in allowing people to control their disease.

Because it makes the body more easily affected by insulin, people taking Avandia are instructed not to take this medication if they are currently undergoing insulin therapy. It also makes the medication unsuitable for people with Type I diabetes or certain other medical conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

There are a variety of Avandia side effects that you need to know about. These can range from minor and inconvenient effects such as upper respiratory infections, back pain and gradual weight gain. People taking Avandia may find that they suffer from mild diarrhea and other minor digestive issues. There may also be a higher incidence of headaches as a result of taking Avandia. People who have taken Avandia also have a higher tendency to suffer fractures in their hands and feet.

Avandia Side Effects Can Include:

• Serious Bone fractures
• Edema
• Shortness of breath
• Hypoglycemia
• Liver failure & liver disease
• Severe allergic reaction
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Hyperflycemia
• Osteoporosis
• Blurred vision
• Loss of appetite
• Stroke
• Headaches
• Myoscardial Infarction
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure / Heart Disease
• Anemia
• Nausea

There may be some serious digestive side effects that can be experienced as a result of taking this medication. Users have experienced jaundice in some cases. They may experience yellowing of the skin and eyes as well as stomach pain and urine which is darker than usual. This may be accompanied by clay colored stools.

Because the body’s cells become sensitive to the action of insulin in the body, some users have experienced a sudden and rapid drop in blood sugar. They may suffer from anxiety, sweating and dizziness. Conversely, some users of this medication have also had problems dealing with extremely high blood sugar levels as well.

There are more serious side effects as well which have only recently come to the public’s attention. It was proven that the manufacturer knew about serious cardiovascular side effects and did not alert the public about the dangers of using Avandia. Users have reported that they may feel short of breath or have trouble breathing when they exert themselves even if the exertion is only mild.

It has also been proven that in certain people, taking Avandia could cause heart failure in people who did not previously suffer from the condition. It could also worsen a pre-existing case of heart failure in many patients. This was due to increased fluid retention in many patients.

There was also an increased chance of Myocardial Infarction due to a reduced ability of the heart to pump blood. Since the risk of heart disease and heart attack is already elevated in people who suffer from diabetes this is an unacceptable risk that should have been taken into account when the drug was developed.

If you have been diagnosed with heart failure or you have suffered a heart attack as a result of Avandia side effects, an Avandia lawyer may be your best bet to get the maximum compensation possible. The legal team at McEwen Law has experience with Avandia heart attack cases and can help preserve your rights and your dignity. Call us today at 800-732-3070 or fill out the form on the side of this page for effective and compassionate representation. Because we work on a contingency basis, you know you have peace of mind from knowing that you will pay nothing unless you win your case and are compensated as a result.