Avandia Death Risk Higher Even When Compared with Actos

New data suggests that even when Avandia is compared with Actos, another diabetes drug in the same class of medications, it carries an increased risk of congestive heart failure and death.

Avandia and Actos are both diabetes drugs that are part of the same class of medications, known as thiazolidinedione agents.

A “black box” warning was added to both medications in August 2007 about potential side effects which may increase the risk of congestive heart failure.

Data published this week in The Archives of Internal Medicine suggest that users of Avandia are more likely to experience heart failure or death than users of Actos.

Researchers evaluated data from Medicare claims involving 28,000 diabetics over 65 in Pennsylvania and New jersey. When comparing Actos and Avandia, researchers found that Avandia side effects carried a 13% greater chance of heart failure and a 15% higher rate of death.

Avandia (rosiglitazone), was once a blockbuster diabetes drug, generating over $2 billion in annual sales before a report was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2007 that associated the drug with an increased risk of heart attacks and death.

Since that time, the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes have unanimously advised against use of Avandia due to the heart risks, and the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has filed a petition with the FDA calling for an Avandia recall.

GlaxoSmithKline, PLC, the maker of Avandia, continues to defend their drug and fight to keep it on the market despite the serious and potentially fatal side effects.

In addition to the increased risk of heart attacks, congestive heart failure and death, studies have also linked Avandia side effects to a risk of liver failure, bone fractures and vision loss known as macular edema.

Glaxo currently faces a number of Avandia lawsuits filed by users who have suffered injuries they allege were caused by the diabetes drug. All federal cases have been consolidated in an MDL in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with the first trials scheduled to begin in 2010.