Avandia Stroke
Avandia and Strokes
Avandia is a drug marketed by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline that has been linked to a huge number of heart attacks and strokes. Avandia is commonly prescribed for people with Type II diabetes. It was approved by the FDA in 1999 and quickly became a very popular drug. Avandia is still widely prescribed, though recently, doctors and patients have increasing become concerned about the use of Avandia. There have been over 13,000 Avandia lawsuits filed thus far, even though a much larger number of heart attacks and strokes have been caused by the drug. In addition, it is likely that a number of lesser cardiovascular problems have been caused by Avandia.
Avandia has several side effects, though some of the most serious are increased risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure and stroke. In several studies, it was shown that Avandia increased the risk for all three of these conditions when compared to other diabetes medications. While the majority of the negative attention towards Avandia is related to heart attacks, Avandia has been shown to cause strokes in users. With Avandia FDA investigations still occurring, the estimated number of strokes definitely linked to Avandia use still remains unknown.
In July of 2010, an FDA panel suggested that the FDA add more safety warnings and restrictions to Avandia that might mean patients would have to apply for permission from their doctors in order to use the drug. It is thought that sales will still drop and Avandia will become less widely used even if the drug is not recalled.
Greatly Increased Risk of Stroke in Users 65 and Older
The FDA's Associate Director of Drug Safety released a study of 225,000 patients in June of 2010. This report found that Avandia use has an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality as well as an increased risk of of AMI, stroke, heart failure or mortality in patients aged 65 or older. Evidence also suggests that GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Avandia, was aware of the increased risk of stroke in older patients years earlier. There is also evidence that GlaxoSmithKline knew that similar drugs made by their competitors were equally effective at lowering blood sugar levels without the same risks associated with Avandia.
Avandia Lawsuits
There have been many questions posed regarding whether the makers of Avandia were aware of the significant dangers that continued usage of the drug posed years before it was announced to the public. The FDA, the United States Senate, and the majority of all Avandia lawsuit cases have all inquired into this issue. Avandia has been mostly removed from the market after more FDA Avandia restrictions were imposed on the drug in the summer of 2010. Many argue that these restrictions should have occurred long before that, which would have dramatically reduced the number of cardiovascular problems, heart attacks and strokes that have been caused by the drug Avandia.
It is estimated that roughly 10,000 Avandia lawsuits have been settled, though more suits are being filed every day. Depending upon the state you live in, there may be time limits on how long you have to file an Avandia lawsuit. A lawyer can answer any of the questions you have and can advise you of your options in filing an Avandia lawsuit.
