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Avandia and Actos Increase Fracture Risk and Heart Problems for Women
December 19, 2008
A new study shows that women who take diabetes drugs Avandia and Acots are at higher risk of bone fractures. For these drugs, it is the latest in a series of side effects discovered. Avandia and Acots have also been shown to result in a higher risk of heart problems for female users.
The study was conducted by researchers at North Carolina’s Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of East Anglia in Britain. They analyzed 10 previously conducted studies lasting a year in duration. Each of these prior studies involved 14,000 patients. The USA Today reported the researcher’s conclusion that the risk of fractures in women doubled when taking either Avandia or Acots for a year. For individuals in their 70s, who are at higher risk of fractures, the study showed that 1 fracture would take place for every 21 women users. For individuals in their 50s, the study showed that 1 fracture would take place for every 55 women users.
Men users of Avandia or Acots have not experienced increases in risks to bone fractures or heart disease. The researchers think that a possible explanation for the higher fracture risk among women may be tied to the interaction of these drugs with levels of estrogen found in female users. As a result, there has been a call for stronger warnings on the labels of these drugs explaining the increased fracture risks.
Avandia and Actos currently carry strong warnings on its labels for its link to heart failure, which is its other known side effect. In May 2007, The Cleveland Clinic published an analysis of 42 clinical trials which showed users of Avandia having a 43% greater chance of going into cardiac arrest. In November 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a black box warning to be placed on Avandia labels informing consumers of increased risks of heart problems tied to the drug.
In October, the group Public Citizen announced that they found 14 cases of liver failure caused by Avandia that were identified in the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System. There were 12 deaths associated with the 14 cases of liver failure. These discoveries encouraged Public Citizen to file a petition with the FDA to have Avandia taken off the market. Avandia’s link to liver failure when taken with its other side effects such as bone fractures, heart disease, and vision loss shows that its risks are too great for such a product to be sold in the US marketplace.
In October, both the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes removed Avandia from its treatment guidelines.
If you or a loved one has used Avandia and suffered injuries or complications, contact our Avandia lawyers and attorneys today for a free no obligation lawsuit consultation.
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