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Avandia Lawsuit Attorneys

The diabetes drug Avandia® (Rosiglitazone maleate) has been linked to very serious side effects and death. In some patients, Avandia can cause fluid retention, which may lead to congestive heart failure, and other cardiovascular events, including myocardial ischemia or angina, heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death. In women, Avandia has also been linked to increased incidents of broken bones and bone fractures. Although many physicians have discontinued their patients' use of the drug, an FDA committee voted to keep it on the market. The FDA's role in evaluating Avandia was the subject of a Congressional hearing in June 2007.

What is Diabetes Type 2?

Avandia has been prescribed to millions of patients, primarily in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a disorder characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. An estimated 23.6 million people in the U.S., or 7.8% of the population, have diabetes. Ninety percent (90%) of all diabetes cases are type 2. Early symptoms of diabetes type 2 are chronic fatigue, generalized weakness, excessive urine production, excessive thirst, and blurred vision.

How Does Avandia Work?

In 1999, the FDA approved Avandia, a medication that controls blood sugar by making liver, fat and muscle cells more sensitive to insulin. The main ingredient in Avandia is rosiglitazone, a thiazolidinedione or glitazone that increases the sensitivity of the cells, and enables them to remove sugar from the blood more effectively. Avandia also helps to preserve the pancreas cells (beta cells) that produce insulin. Overall, Avandia helps the body control blood sugar levels, and keeps them from rising too high.  Avandia is also an ingredient in the combination diabetes drugs Avandamet (Avandia + Metformin) and Avandaryl (Avandia + Glimiperide). Avandia is manufactured and produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Next to the asthma drug Advair, Avandia is the #2 best selling drug for GlaxoSmithKline.

Is Avandia Safe?

In May 2007, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that taking Avandia could significantly increase risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. This risk of heart attack is higher in patients with a history of heart disease or who have other heart attack risk factors. Following the New England Journal of Medicine's report, the FDA issued an alert urging doctors to discuss and consider other treatment alternatives with their patients. In November of 2007, the FDA issued their strongest "black box warning" about the potential risk of heart attack and other adverse events in some patients taking Avandia.

Avandia Lawsuits and Settlements

Thousands of people who have suffered adverse cardiac side effects while taking Avandia have already brought lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline, alleging the drug company knew of the cardiac risks associated with the drug, but chose to ignore them. If you or a family member have been prescribed Avandia or any other diabetes drug that contains rosiglitazone, and have suffered adverse side effects or cardiovascular death, contact Estey & Bomberger for more information about your rights. You may be entitled to substantial compensation in a dangerous drug lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline. Financial compensation you may be entitled to may include medical expenses, hospitalization costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one.