Avandia Lawsuits, GlaxoSmithKline Hid Avandia Heart Attack Data
July 13, 2010 by US Drug Recall
Filed under Avandia
The popular Diabetes drug Avandia is undergoing a review by a panel of 33 experts who are scheduled to advise the FDA on the risks and problems associated with the drug. New information has become available that Avandia’s maker GlaxoSmithKline knew about the increased heart risks associated with Avandia, but 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 Diabetes drug, Actos. The results of this study showed that Avandia posed a higher risk of heart attacks and heart complications than Actos, but GlaxoSmithKline did not release this study and in fact kept the results hidden from public view.
Avandia has now been linked to many dangerous side effects which GlaxoSmithKline tried to hide including:
- 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.
Dr. Steve Nissen, author of a study which found an increased risk for heart attacks in Avandia patients, had this to say about Avandia’s popularity: “We made a terrible mistake in approving this drug, and tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people have been harmed.”
Today GlaxoSmithKline, agreed to pay about $460 million to resolve approximately $10,000 lawsuits regarding injuries from heart attacks and strokes. This news comes right in the middle of the FDA meeting to determine the future of the drug and a potential vote on whether there will be an Avandia recall.
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
