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 Lawsuit Attorney

Two recent studies about the popular Diabetes drug Avandia (Rosiglitazone) manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, suggest that people who take Avandia may be at a higher risk for developing potentially fatal heart problems.

The first study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that people taking Avandia were 33 percent more likely to have an Avandia heart attack than people taking other blood sugar medications.

The second study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine this week, compared patients who were treated with Avandia with those treated with another Diabetes drug, Actos. This study found that patients taking Avandia had an 18% increased risk of heart failure, stroke, and death, compared to those taking Actos.

In response to these findings, the FDA has said that there will likely be a vote by an expert panel on whether or not to recall the drug. They are expected to review Avandia’s safety and whether or not regulatory action is necessary at an upcoming FDA meeting next week.

Steven Nissen, chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and author of one of the new studies has said, “I can’t understand why doctors would continue to use this drug,” he says, “The number of people harmed here is very large. This is maddening.”

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 Lawsuit

If you or someone you know has been harmed by the prescription drug Avandia (Rosiglitazone Maleate), you are going through a difficult and frightening time. You need skilled and experienced legal representation to help you through the Avandia lawsuit process to get you the financial compensation that you deserve for your pain and suffering.

At McEwen Law Firm, we have helped clients across the United States resolve their claims with dignity and compassion. We have dealt with medical claims and lawsuits for many other prescription drugs and have the experience to know how the medical industry operates and the process involved in getting you the money that you are entitled to.

What Is Avandia?

Avandia is an oral medication developed by GlaxoSmithKlein Plc. It is used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. Unlike some other diabetes medications it is not insulin. Instead, it works by making the body more receptive to the action of insulin in the body. In fact, it is recommended that people not take Avandia if they are also taking insulin or nitrates. Type I diabetics are not able to take this medication.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of serious side effects reported as a result of taking this medication. It has been proven now that use of this medication can lead to a higher than average risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular issues. Studies have shown that as many as five hundred additional heart attacks were caused each month in people taking this medication.

If you are someone who has suffered a heart attack as a result of taking this medication you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Your rights as a patient must be protected and there needs to be awareness of just what this medication can do to the people who are still taking it.

Avandia Side Effects

Avandia has a number of side effects. These can range from minor issues such as headaches, mild weight gain and digestive problems such as mild diarrhea. There may even be side effects such as sneezing, a runny nose or other symptoms which are very similar to a cold. Women who have stopped menstruating due to medical conditions may find that they start getting their period again.

The issue with Avandia is that side effects can also be dangerous and unexpected. Serious Avandia side effects include blurred vision and jaundice which can be severe at times. There can also be cardio-pulmonary side effects including chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms of a heart attack.

It has also been proven that using Avandia can cause a higher than average chance of suffering a heart attack. If you or someone you love has suffered a heart attack because of taking Avandia, you need to contact us today about legal representation.

We know patient rights and can help protect them at all stages of your legal proceedings. We seek to resolve your claim as quickly as possible but are not afraid to continue with a lawsuit if we know that it will ultimately get you the compensation that you should receive.

Whether this is for continuing medical care, compensation for lost wages or other fees and expenses, the McEwen Law Firm knows the medical system in the United States and can help you get the services and money you need to put your life back together after a catastrophic event such as taking a hazardous prescription medication.

Contacting Legal Representation

If you are someone who is suffering from the results of an Avandia-induced heart attack or if you know someone who is, the McEwen Law Firm wants to make it as easy as possible to contact one of our experienced attorneys. You have two options. You can contact an Avandia lawyer using the form at the side of the page or feel free to contact us at 800-732-3070. Because we work on a contingency basis, you know that you will not need to pay any legal fees unless your claim is a successful one. We want to see you compensated as fairly and fully as possible for the pain and suffering you have experienced.

If you or a loved one have suffered an Avandia Heart Attack, Avandia Stroke, Avandia Heart Failure, cardiovascular disease or other injuries you have the right to speak to an Avandia Lawyer by calling (800) 732-3070. One of our Avandia Lawsuit Attorneys can assist you in your fight.