Post Date: October 14th, 2010
Our Avandia recall lawyers are investigating cases around the United
States involving the side effects of Avandia. Patients who used the
anti-diabetic drug experienced heart problems, edema, and other health problems
associated with diabetes that was aggravated by the use of Avandia. Although sales
of Avandia have dropped steadily since the drug was recalled, there are still
many people who are in danger of its side effects.
Avandia, also
known rosiglitazon, is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and was introduced in
1999 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. The drug was approved to be used
with a diet and exercise program to help control a persons blood sugar levels.
Studies have shown that Avandia can cause fluid retention that increases the danger
of congestive heart failure in patients with and without existing heart
problems. Over six million patients with diabetes have taken Avandia since its
release in 1999. The death rates of patients who have used Avandia are 15%
higher than those who use other medications to control their blood sugar and
heart failure is 13% higher.
Although SmithKlineBeecham, who is doing business as
GlaxoSmithKline, have settled over 10,000 lawsuits associated with Avandia,
they are still denying the allegations that they failed to adequately warn
users of the risks. On May 21, 2007 the Food and Drug Administration issued a
safety alert warning users that Avandia could increase the risk of injury to the
patients’ heart. This warning stemmed from data taken from controlled trials of
the drug. Several weeks later the New England Journal of Medicine backed the
FDA’s findings with their study that suggested that users of Avandia were at a
43% higher risk of heart attack.
On November 14, 2007 the Black Box Warning for Avandia was
updated to include the increased risk of heart problems due to the drug. A
Black Box warning is required the Food and Drug Administration for any
medication that have medical studies that suggest the drug has serious or life
threatening side effects. In February of 2008 the FDA issued a message to users
of Avandia to watch for signs of shortness of breath or swelling that is caused
by fluid retention.
Cases like the Avandia anti-diabetic drug are categorized as product liability.
When a defective medication is brought to our attention, we look carefully at
the design and chemicals to see if it is defective. If a company is going to profit from selling a defective medication, or at least on that increases its users’ risk of heart attacks and strokes, our Avandia injury attorneys think that company should be liable for the damage they cause.
Lawsuits for the product liability of Avandia have increased
dramatically. Our Avandia Side Effect Lawyers believe that GlaxoSmithKline should be held
responsible for the harm that Avandia has caused. We believe the people who
have taken Avandia and suffered injuries should be compensated for their loss.
If you or a loved one has developed heart problems from taking Avandia, please
consult one of our experienced injury attorneys at Myers Injury Law to discuss
your claim.
Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury
Law, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his firm is investigating cases nationwide of heart attacks and strokes caused by Avandia. If you have suffered an injury due to Avandia, please contact us toll free to further discuss your case. It
is always free to discuss your case with us and we never charge attorney’s fees
until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: attorney, attorneys, avandia, heart attack, lawyer, lawyers, recall, side effects, stroke
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