Avandia to get 2nd Black Box Warning for Heart Attack Risks

Avandia (Rosiglitazone), a GlaxoSmithKline drug was introduced in 1999 for the treatment of Type-2 Diabetes. Almost immediately upon introduction, it came under fire when a Dr. John Buse, a noted diabetes expert and professor at University of North Carolina publicly expressed concerns of cardiovascular risks. In the years since Avandia was introduced and subsequently identified as causing increased cardiovascular risks, more than six million people have taken Avandia, which generates approximately $3.2 Billion in sales for GlaxoSmithKline.

In the late spring of 2007, a second doctor, Dr. Steven Nissen published an analysis that found that use of Avandia did raise the risk of heart attack by 43%. This helped prompt the FDA to announce that Avandia would carry a “Black Box” warning with regard to the increased risk for heart failure. Note: A Black Box warning is a type of warning that indicates a drug carries a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects.

In November 2007, the FDA announced that Avandia will carry a second Black Box warning for the increased risk of a heart attack. The first Black Box warning for heart failure focuses on a weakened heart having trouble pumping blood, while the latest warning focused on actual heart attacks in healthy hearts.

If you or a loved one have taken, or are taking Avandia and have experienced a heart attack, heart failure or other heart or kidney conditions, you can contact an attorney at FREIDIN · DOBRINSKY here or by calling us at 1-866-495-8060. Our consumer-fraud attorneys will answer your questions free of charge, and we are here to help.

FREIDIN · DOBRINSKY is investigating various Avandia complaints. We have the experience in helping victims of Dangerous Products and Medical Malpractice cases and have capabilities to pursue justice for those who have been affected by this drug.