The drug Avandia, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is used to treat Type 2 diabetes by helping patients control their blood sugar levels. The drug has enjoyed phenomenal sales, with 60 million prescriptions written since 1999. However, if you have taken Avandia to control your diabetes, you should be aware this best-selling drug has been linked to serious, life-threatening side effects.
In May 2007, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks by 43 percent. Two months later, an FDA panel acknowledged the elevated risk of heart attacks from the drug but decided to keep it on the market with a “black box” warning. Diabetics who have mild heart disease or problems with their kidneys are at an elevated risk of developing congestive heart failure.
Heart problems are not the only serious side effect from Avandia. Experiments by a Salk Institute researcher found that the diabetes drug actually promoted osteoporosis by slowing bone growth while also speeding up bone loss. That finding reinforced clinical studies that showed an increased risk of bone fractures among patients who took Avandia.
One of the most serious health effects associated with Avandia is the onset of primary pulmonary hypertension, or PPH. This is a rare condition that causes the narrowing of blood vessels and results in high blood pressure. PPH is a precursor to heart failure, and this risk is highest in patients taking insulin or medicines called nitrates. Patients who develop PPH face these dire consequences:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Heart failure
- Death
Immediately contact your doctor if you have experienced any of the serious side effects associated with Avandia. It’s also critical that you contact the Raleigh dangerous drug attorneys of Hardison & Cochran. We can help you protect your legal rights and recover compensation for your injuries.
The skilled Avandia lawyers of Hardison & Cochran have represented clients who have been injured because of dangerous prescription drugs, including Avandia. Hardison & Cochran has the resources to hire the necessary experts and investigators to fight big drug companies. Our experience and expertise can level the playing field.
At Hardison & Cochran, we pride ourselves in giving quality legal service and exceptional client service. We are the North Carolina law firm with the 100% client service satisfaction guarantee. Do not delay — there are time limits for bringing a legal action. Call us today at 1 (800) 434-8399 or contact us online.
Hardison & Cochran serves personal injury and accident victims throughout the state of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Fayetteville, NC.
