Avandia Linked to Significant Risk of Heart Attacks
Avandia, the brand name of the drug rosiglitazone, is used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Millions of diabetics have been prescribed Avandia sold by GlaxoSmithKline PLC since it came on the market in 1999. In a report published by the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2007, Avandia was linked to a 43 percent greater risk of heart attack and death when compared to other diabetes drugs or when no diabetes drug was taken at all.
Upon the release of the 2007 study, GlaxoSmithKline downplayed the report and encouraged continued use of Avandia. Dr. Lawson McCartney, who led Glaxo's diabetes drug development, said, "We remain very confident in the safety and of course in the efficacy of Avandia as an important diabetic medicine."
Soon thereafter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked Glaxo to carry a more prominent warning, a so-called black box warning, of Avandia's heart risks because "despite existing warnings, these drugs were being prescribed to patients with significant heart failure." Glaxo continued to maintain the safety of Avandia, and the drug has remained on the market.
2010 Avandia News: Report Calls For Avandia Recall
Hundreds of people taking Avandia needlessly suffer heart attacks and heart failure each month, according to confidential government reports that recommend the drug be removed from the market.
The reports, according to the New York Times, say that if every diabetic now taking Avandia were instead given a similar pill named Actos, about 500 heart attacks and 300 cases of heart failure would be averted every month because Avandia can hurt the heart. Avandia was linked to 304 deaths during the third quarter of 2009 alone.
In June 2010, two new studies were released further linking Avandia to heart attacks and strokes.
Avandia Lawsuits: Legal Rights of Patients Injured by Avandia
The law in most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured by a prescription drug with excessive and dangerous side effects. These claims include strict liability for a defective product, breach of warranty, negligence, and misrepresentation. Damages sought against pharmaceutical companies for dangerous drug side effects and injuries include:
- Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
- Medical expenses associated with efforts to remedy the injuries as a result of the original surgery; and
- Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity.
In the case of a patient's death, the family of the victim may file a wrongful death action and seek damages.
Contact Avandia Injury Attorney | Avandia Lawyer
If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury following the use of Avandia or are a relative of a patient who died after receiving Avandia, please click here to contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the national law firm of Lieff Cabraser.
Or you may call us toll-free at 1-800-541-7358 and ask to speak to attorney Heather A. Foster.
About Lieff Cabraser
Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP is a sixty-plus attorney law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last seven years, the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the top plaintiffs' law firms in America.
For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case clerks to assist the attorneys. Learn more about our firm.