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Diabetes Medication Avandia to Remain...
The United States Food and Drug Administration will allow Avandia to remain on the market for use by some with diabetes. However, additional restrictions will apply to any new patient given a prescription for Avandia.
New patients with diabetes will not be allowed to use Avandia to treat their diabetes unless physicians document that the patient is not able to control glucose levels with other medications.
Avandia, which is rosiglitazone maleate, is used to treat type II diabetes. A link to the GlaxoSmithKline website is below this article. The site includes statements about the use of Avandia by the company that promotes Avandia in the United States.
Some question the wisdom of leaving Avandia on the market considering the evidence of the possible side effects. While the side effects can include death after a heart attack, the United States Food and Drug Administration gave their opinion and decision recently to keep Avandia available.
The FDA will allow Avandia to remain on the market with current patients not being expected to make changes to another prescription. GlaxoSmithKline has been accused of hiding earlier study results that showed Avandia would have serious side effects. GSK denied that this was done.
Heart attacks and strokes have been reported to be side effects of taking Avandia for some patients. Those taking Avandia to treat their diabetes must be informed about these health concerns. All prescription medication in the United States includes information about the drug and side effects.
Many feel Avandia should be removed from the market because of the information available. Some feel Avandia may be safe if it can be used at a lower dose.
GlaxoSmithKline paid millions in damages as the result of law suits due to Avandia side effects. Such cases are often settled without an admission of guilt.
Although it is known that Avandia may be linked to heart attacks and strokes in patients with type II diabetes it will remain on the market in the United States until further notice. The product will be removed from the European market.
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